To Start A Revolution:

One Dimensional Man in the Three Dimensional World

2010-07-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

Why abstractions, norms, and absolutes
are an assault on humanity and existence itself.

"A woman can never be too rich or too thin."

The anorexic and the body builder are both pursuing ideals that recede before them. Once one starts to measure oneself against a one-dimensional standard, such as strength or slimness, too much is never enough: the goal is always ahead of you, no matter how far you go. These ideals cannot be reached in this world. . . but if you follow them far enough, they can lead you out of it, into the abyss which is their true domain—as Arnold Schwarznegger's early heart problems, and the suicides of our rock stars and sex symbols, clearly attest.

It's true that Arnold Schwarznegger, Hollywood actresses, and others like them were practically factory farmed by this competition-obsessed society; but the rest of us are infected with these values too—think of us as free range versions of the same livestock. All our judgments, all our conceptualizations of the world refer to absolutes and ideals: Sara is pretty, but not as pretty as Diana, who is not as pretty as the girl on the magazine cover; Jane is smart, but not as smart as the boy who was accepted to Harvard, who clearly is not as intelligent as Albert Einstein was; serving free food is revolutionary, but not as revolutionary as setting a police station on fire. We are truly one-dimensional thinkers: unable to see each individual quality or action for what it is alone, only able to apprehend it in terms of how it compares to others. . . the implication being that there is some fundamental scale against which everything can be compared. This is one way of conceiving of the world, yes, but not the only way, and not the best way in most circumstances, either.

This way of thinking makes everything into a competition, for those who don't want to accept their inferiority; it makes us disregard the value and unique significance of every event and entity, in favor of finding a place for them in the system of calibration. The truth is that every human being really does have a value unlike any other, every radical action and approach is important to "the revolution" in irreplaceable ways (the important question is not which means to apply, but how to make them complement each other), and we desperately need ways to articulate this to ourselves. We need a language with which we can celebrate through description, not comparison. Without this, no matter how clearly we know we should value every little thing for its own sake, we are trapped by the assumptions of our own means of expression:

"I love you," whispers the young girl.

"Do you love me more than anyone else, more than anything?" demands the boy.

"I love you . . . differently, because of what you are. Not more, not less—there's no comparison with love, for love cherishes what is. Love is not judgment, it is measureless, matchless . . ." she replies—but he has already turned away.

Where did this obsession with one-dimensional standards come from? It originated with language itself: where one word serves to represent many different individual experiences, abstraction is already present. When you say "sunlight, " it seems as if you are designating a thing that exists in the world somewhere, when actually you are referring to a multitude of experiences, all different but with some very basic similarities. What is most precious in experiences is not the lowest common denominators, but the once-in-a-lifetime particulars— but words leave those out entirely. What use is a word that only applies to one moment of one individual's experience? That is not a currency that can retain value from one to another, and thus is useless for communication. Communication is a necessary part of being human; but it is crucial that each of us remembers that no word or concept could ever capture the infinite depth and complexity of a single instant of life.

The birth of Western civilization, which is founded upon one dimensional thinking, occurred in ancient Greece, when Plato took the abstraction of language one step farther. Plato declared that our abstractions referred to some "higher" world of ideals, in which "courage" and "honor" and "justice" exist in their pure form; in doing so, he turned everything backwards, placing our broad generalizations before the experiences they are drawn from, and claiming that it is those vague generalizations that have truth. Thus he took the reference point of our concepts out of the world altogether, suggesting that our real experiences in it are unimportant, irrelevant. Paul, the founder of Christianity, extended this philosophy into the world of religion: the "ideal" existed in heaven, and the earth was the flawed, evil imitation of it.

Ideas and doctrines alone were not enough to bend human experience of the world to the system of absolutes, of course. Against the wisdom of bodily experience, in which the unique qualities of every entity and event are encountered up close, they were powerless. But slowly, it became possible to enforce the doctrine of the ideal upon the world of daily perception.

It began with the end of the barter system, and the beginning of subdivided time. Suddenly, everything had a certain, set value, and the day was divided into measured segments. Time and worth cannot really be measured—the man who has truly lived knows that the stopwatch cannot capture the way time speeds up when he is in bed with his boyfriend and slows down when he is "on the clock" at work, he knows that the best and worst things in life cannot be "deserved" or earned, let alone appraised—but the pay-by-the-hour jobs of the exchange economy forced people to measure them anyway, and the habit sunk in.

Soon, everything was measured and calibrated: women's clothing sizes, for example. Until the end of the nineteenth century, women's clothing was made by hand, for individual women. A woman was seen as possessing distinct personal qualities, not as a "size 6" or "plus size." It's very telling that over the last few decades, the perfect ideal of the woman has been described numerically—"36-24-36"—and anything that varies from that perfect Platonic form is less than beautiful. Women now occupy a scale of value according to their measured weight. Some struggle with scales every morning, hoping the number will be lower so their value will be greater.

It only remained for brand names to finish reducing the real complexity of the world to the empty simplicity of abstractions. Once upon a time, human beings had gardens; in those days, every fruit or vegetable was unique, and looked it. Now our food is scientifically engineered to total uniformity, and comes with a brand name identifying which absolute it represents: the supermarket's generic brand is the Platonic form of the "inferior banana, " the name-brand banana is the perfect incarnation of the banana as abstraction, and the archetypal banana of the rich, eco-elitist consumers comes marked "organic."

Those who would resist these attempts to bend the real world to the flatness of the conceptual world often fall into the same practices. The world of political theory is rife with abstraction and one dimensional thinking. Many make it through childhood with their ability to appreciate the irreplaceable details of life intact, only to fall to the maladies of generalizing and idealizing when they begin to read theory and attempt to form an "analysis" of life: their impressions and emotions are converted into an ideology, and where their struggles and goals once referred to real people they now see those people only as playing pieces in a war of symbols.

Ultimately, the pursuit of "ideals" which cannot exist in this world constitutes a rejection of this world, the real world, and thus of life itself—as demonstrated by the sad fate of the body builders and anorexics who take it to its logical extreme, the grave. We are so used to denigrating this world, saying it is a fucked up, imperfect place—and so it appears, compared with our "perfect" standards and ideals, which seem so perfect only because they cannot exist. A truly radical resolution would be to embrace existence just as it is, as the only thing that matters, to proclaim that this world itself is heaven, made for our total enjoyment and fulfillment. . . and then, to ask: If that's the case, how do we act accordingly? What have we been doing wrong all this time?

In doing so, we would finally have to accept and embrace ourselves exactly as we are, in all our diversity and variety, and free ourselves from the shadow of the false heaven of Plato and the advertising agents, where "real" beauty supposedly resides. Liberated entirely from standards, from the lingering ghost of Christian judgment and condemnation, we could see that what we are must itself constitute the measure and meaning of beauty, of dignity and magnificence, if such concepts are to exist at all.

I took off my paint-splattered jacket and my shirt, and gazed at myself in the mirror of the airplane restroom. What I saw was something I had only glimpsed before in the eyes of my most adoring lovers: the curves and textures of my skin, the scars and tattoos and lines cut into it painted a picture together, telling a life of wild adventure and undreamable extremes, a story more poignant and thrilling than any other. I was beautiful—beauty itself was incarnated in me, as the vessel of a world of struggles and longings and triumphs bigger than anything that could fit in any book. It was a moment of blinding brilliance, but I rested comfortably in it, confident, as if I had known through all the squalor and desperation that I was simply being primed for this. And, for once, I felt that I could live a hero's life as well as die a warrior's death.

It is only now that I can recognize your beauty
and deny no part of my own.

Courtesy of CrimethInc's, Expect Resistance.

Your Friend,
Alex

I would myself, like a shot.

2010-06-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

It's been fifteen years at this writing since I first came across THE LORD OF THE RINGS in the stacks at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. I'd been looking for the books for four years, ever since reading W.H. Auden's review in the New York Times. I think of that time now - and the years after, when the trilogy continued to be hard to find and hard to explain to most friend - with an undeniable nostalgia. It was a barren era for fantasy, among other things, but a good time for cherishing slighted treasures and mysterious passwords. Long before Frodo Lives! Began to appear in the New York subways, J.R.R. Tolkien was the magus of my secret knowledge.

I've never thought it an accident that Tolkien's works waited more than ten years to explode in popularity almost over night. The Sixties were no fouler a decade than the Fifties - they merely reaped the Fifties' foul harvest - but they were the years when millions of people grew aware that the industrial society had become paradoxically unlivable, incalculably immoral, and ultimately deadly. In terms of passwords, the Sixties were the time when word progress lost its ancient holiness, and escape stopped being comically obscene. The impulse in being called reactionary now, but lovers of Middle-earth want to go there. I myself, like a shot.

For in the end it is Middle-earth and its dwellers that we love, not Tolkien's considerable gifts in showing it to us. I said once that the world he charts was there long before him, and I still believe it. He is a great enough magician to tap our most common nightmares, daydreams and twilight fancies, but he never invented them either: he found them a place to live, a green alternative to each day's madness hire in a poisoned world. We are raised to honor all the wrong explorers and discovers - thieves planting flags, murderers carrying crosses. Let us at last praise the colonizers of dreams.

-Peter S. Beagle
Watsonbille, California
14 July 1973

First you must learn to smile as you kill

2010-06-05T20:47:00.000-07:00

Home is a commerical advertisement.
-Look at my colors, sparks, advantages, says It, look at the lessons I teach, the value at which I'm worth, and my security. Here you will learn what the world expects of you. What I expect of you. In this sense you need me.
-But what if I don't need you, says I. What if the rules you teach are only relevant to you and the whimsical mood of your flamboyant nature? What if your value, your security, your advantages, are only based on a false sense of entitlement, a fallacy of self-realization?
-You owe me, says It. To whom was my food given? My money, my time? In this sense you can not leave.
-And what of the rules of Nature, says I. Am I to be bred concordant to the understanding that I must reap what I sow when all of Nature reaps what it does not sow? "I know how to obey, I was trained to obey." Should I stunt my growth any further in order to remain obedient to a misunderstanding? You give your food, your money, your time because you are meant to, just as we are meant to pluck what we did not sow. You give because if you would have retained, your gifts would have receded inside, festered, diseased, and exploded. You gave because it is instinct, and it will also be mine.
-You can not live without me, says It, here is family, laughter, comfort, love.
-And here is a blank sheet, with a purpose either to veil and forget or to be painted upon and hung. You teach me "responsibility"? You teach me that my actions have consequences? You are fixed on the rules of your world but there will be consequences of the earth; of the Universe, and yes, for your actions as well.

Your friend,
Alex

Their System Doesn't Work For You

2010-06-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

http://wildammo.com/2010/06/04/what-bp-doesnt-want-you-to-see-from-their-oil-spill/

They steal "our" money, they steal "our" lives, they steal "our" time. Isn't it time we take back that which "belongs" to us?

This country just celebrated Memorial Day in one simultaneous wave of patriotism and national fervor. Is this what you soldiers die for? Is this what you sacrifice yourself for? So that, we as a nation can waste ourselves into oblivion? Oh, you die for freedom - you die to give more freedom to governments and their companies to reinforce this murder, this thievery of freedom and life.

Oh, everything is fine, everything is perfectly under control. We will show you just how in control everything is with our flares and bombs.

"Anarchy wears two faces, both creator and destroyer. Thus destroyers topple empires; make a canvas of clean rubble where creators can then build a better world. Rubble, once achieved makes further ruins' mean irrelevant. Away with our explosives, then! Away with our destroyers! They have no place within our better world. But let us raise a toast to all our bombers, all our bastards, most unlovely and most unforgivable. Let's drink to their health then meet with them no more." - V for Vendetta, Alan Moore

Your friend,
Alex

"Police State in the USA"

2010-06-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

May 24, 2010

The laws that apply to us should also apply to them

To the Editor: Cumberland Times-News

— Just my thoughts on the new immigration laws that will soon go into effect in the state of Arizona.

In the United States of America, if a citizen is stopped by a police officer, the first thing that officer will request is a photo I.D. In the state of Arizona, if an illegal immigrant is stopped by a police officer, that officer will have the right to ask that illegal immigrant for an I.D. or documents proving who they are.

If the citizens of the United States of America are required to carry a photo I. D., then why is it called “racial profiling” if we require the illegal immigrants to do the same thing that we require from our own citizens ?

Seems to me that the other states should pass the same laws that Arizona has passed requiring everyone to have proper I.D. and show proof of the same if requested by a police officer.

And also, I would like to add that every person who lives or works in the United States of America, either, learn the English language or “Adios, amigos.” (Sorry if that offends you, but I have never been “politically correct” and Im not going to start now.)

May God Bless the U.S.A.

Donnie Rice

Mount Savage

June 1, 2010

They’ll need an ‘illegal spotting’ device

To the Editor: Cumberland Times-News

In response to a letter to the editor in the May 25 Time-News from Donnie Rice (“The laws that apply to us should also apply to them”):

I don’t think the issue here is that the United States of America requires everyone, including illegal immigrants, to carry some form of identification — that is in fact what makes an illegal immigrant’s status “illegal,” when they are not a citizen and consequently have no ID to show it.

You are correct, sir, that is not racial profiling. The United States does not discriminate between anyone as to whether one need obtain citizenship in this country and have the identification to prove it.

The issue is that (Section 2, Part E of Arizona’s SB 1070) “A law enforcement officer, without a warrant, may arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States,” gives an extreme amount of power to that law enforcement officer to arrest someone if that officer has “probable cause” to suspect that that person is an illegal immigrant.

Perhaps I may be naive, but unless the law enforcement of Arizona has recently obtained some “illegal spotting” device, then how can any law enforcement officer have “probable cause” as to whether someone is an illegal immigrant, when such a status is only confirmed by stopping that person and asking him/her for their ID?

It becomes racial profiling because to have any more “probable cause” than the actual ID itself in front of that law enforcement officer is to stereotype a race of people that have crossed the border illegally.

What checks the power of the officer when he harasses the young Mexican mother who has three kids by her side, and two jobs in order to support them and the exorbitant amount of debt she has already been handed by becoming a citizen, because she looks like a “border hopper”?

And don’t tell me it doesn’t happen. Even locally, young adults are constantly harassed because they either look like they are too young to drive or because they might be carrying some drugs — and all under the power of “probable cause.”

The question really in this issue is when the people of Arizona — and perhaps, as you want it, the whole country — give the power to law enforcement to suspect a person of having an illegal status solely on the basis of race, where does that power stop?

And does that power build a better and more accepting “blessed by God” nation as you so desire?

Additionally, in respect to your last statement, Mr. Rice, requiring that every person speak one language is not only a genocide of language, but of culture, and of a people who have had a big hand in building the Christian religion, and is what I would call a disgrace to the One Christianity believes in.

Alex Grabenstein

Fort Ashby, W.Va.

Your friend,
Alex

Don't Lose Touch

2010-05-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

You call me disrespectful, I will show you disrespectful.
You call me rebellious, I will damn well show you what rebellious looks like.

If you can denote rebellious as following the rules, doing extra around the house, making good grades in school, becoming determined to make college something that I don't have to push debt either on you or me for the rest of our lives, staying away from drugs and alcohol, not acting like a complete dick to my parents for the past 17 years, not deliberately trying the make trouble, and not sneaking out, among other things, you are delusional.

As a leader of anything I can imagine you don't think about what exactly your consequences are that your actions bestow on the world, but I hope you can imagine that when I leave - and I will leave – there won't be much coming back. Sure, my life was pretty fortunate but I don't want to come back to something that has a stick so far up its ass, one moment from the next is made quite unpredictable and, in fact, an insane. Why do you think Jon "went crazy"? I believe part of that answer is inscribed in what I've said already.

Is one who becomes decisive before the question is even brought up capable of making a fair decision? Does one even start to understand the question and all that it encompasses? Perhaps it is an effective parenting method, but I don't believe it. You say it teaches responsibility because “the world 'ain't' fair” but I say it teaches the inept abilities of the world we make to become less than an indiscriminate and indifferent method of oppressive control. You say it teaches the rules of the world we give power too but there is at least one difference between you and I: I will not give power to it.

You are parent and I am son but there is a question as to how long that title can be held over one before the power of that title is undermined by the actions of the parent and that connection – under the pressure of all the energy pushed upon if for years – snaps, finally and with a sense of relief and liberation – perhaps so forced with those feelings that the discord is held eternally.

Your friend, Alex

We do not exist

2010-05-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

"At the public library, in the air raid shelter converted into a museum, in their apartments, they long to be protagonists of their own stories, for once, not professionals or protesters—a whole generation wasted, working in the service industry, collecting comic books, matching skin tones to shades of lipstick . . . but the fuse is lit, now, a hiss in the distance like air escaping from a slashed tire—and ears are pricking up."

-CrimethInc. Ex-Worker's Collective

Standardized tests all this week; talk about good education.

Your friend,
Alex

Baby, I'm an anarchist.

2010-05-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

Click the picture to enlarge.

Taken from the pamphlet, "Why Freegan", written by Warren Oakes.

Your friend,
Alex

I want to smash them all

2010-05-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Living with cameras all my life, it has pretty much become instinct to, when a camera is in fact recognized, associate said camera with a smile, or the grimace often brought forth by those who reluctantly accommodate the demands of thrice-said oh-so-powerful camera. I've often wondered what exactly people did with their time when cameras did not exist. And were those people ever happy? Their smiles are not documented to show the laughs they are meant to represent; we do not nor ever shall know.

It is very interesting - and partially confusing - to me when we take pictures that aren't considered "artsy" (I throw that word around freely), we are obliged to smile in an unnatural moment, so that when we look back on such pictures we can perhaps falsely remind ourselves of how happy we were. What is this obsession with happiness that we must force ourselves to contort our face (and with some "picture" smiles, I do mean contort) for the sake of a set of false and misrepresented memories? I look upon pictures and see them as lies because they cover up the complexities that make up a human and its relationships. Is not a family portrait just a veil over the nuclear family ready to blow apart some buried matter from years before? I do not believe this is a particularly negative or cynical view on how the modern family is built either; we are human, and even if we are family - even if we have been made from the very cells of our parents, and my sister and my brother are connected in a way that no other human can be connected with me - we are human, and we have the remarkable ability to construct such complexities that even the constructor becomes confused out of its manifestation. I think ignoring the melancholy and the frustration that a family or a human relationship endure makes the very beauty of that relationship meaningless.
"I will always appreciate bad days like this/'cause they grant me a point of reference in regards to my happiness"

I look at family pictures in my hallway or my friends hallways, and I see something that is meant to be sentimental and deep but is impalpable and meaningless decoration. There is no aesthetic value and no underlying emotional value. I think we would much rather benefit from a photograph that shows a "darker" side of the human character. Not to impose dreariness but to show the life and complexities of it. At that point we can emphasize the "dark" with the spontaneous and "light".

I'm not necessarily complaining, I'm just contemplating on what seems like an absurd tradition that western families seem to hold dear. I'd much rather have a family painting that illustrates a family through the use of imagery and mediums, lines and spaces, movement and unity. Perhaps portraits only exist to capture the changes of physical appearances. Seems almost like a waste of space though, having to replace a nice one every couple of years to keep up with an ever running time.

Your friend,
Alex

Rediscovered essay

2010-05-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

I found something I wrote for an essay some time ago. I think the prompt was to find something I found a problem with and thus, this is essay was pretty hastily produced. It has to do with this blog and since I just recently found it, why not, eh? I was writing something on another subject but this will take place of that for a while.

By the system of monetary exchange that we – the inhabitants of a modern world – have collectively created and let loose on society, there exists an inherit problem in the way one views the world and the relationship of oneself to that world. Specifically, this man-made exchange system forms in us the theory that everything can be had in the world and it can be won or bought and is therefore the right to us – whether that be to a country or an individual person – solely. The way in which we view religion through this method disillusions God, the figurehead of a religion, unstable, thus creating instability in its followers. By this system, the way in which we see the world and its capability in providing for us consequently destroys, working against rather than working for that same said provider. Because of what man made – by first not observing the world around him – man has effectively created an illusion of poverty in which there is supposedly the noble by nature and, in effect, the vulgar and low as well. This unnatural man-made trade system uses the rules made for the creation against its creator, and though there is an illusion of attainable pleasures, through control and disenchantment, there is a reality of the restlessness and depression of the masses.

In nature there exists a network of scales and balances that create harmony within and without the living things in nature's hold. This harmony can be shown by an interconnectedness in all living things that does not have to be recognized or analyzed or thought out in the process but, simply enough, just is. This unrecognized source and interconnectedness gives and takes but its inheritors of good fortune neither cheer, nor those who suffer groan because it – whatever it may be – just is, because gaining or losing is just the balancing of nature. Life takes from nature and life gives back to nature – the system we imitate – but, in nature, there need be no sense of recognition or acknowledgment – a system we do not imitate – because of that interconnection between life. For example, a man picks his food from what nature provides but there is no immediate sense that he needs to give back to the one who provided him by peeing on the ground or dying and decomposing to create more food. That connection that balances and harmonizes between life creates this system of exchange that releases no enmity, mistrust, or a constant need to pay back for the man or the provider. This connection creates a sense of cooperation rather than competition and there is no thought to whether one should or should not be cooperative because the act is instinct and natural.

In the man-made system of trade, where providing must be recognized, controlled and sought out, there exists chaos to all except those who are in control. This system, with so many rules, becomes so hard to keep track of and to learn all its inner workings, that it becomes an entity of its own. In its own becoming it sows discord between its followers and that interconnection transforms into distrust, anxiety, and greed. That system of nature becomes no longer observed or thought of except in fear and superstition, and balance is attempted to be made and reworked rather than be left alone and left to work. Those who benefit and those who don't begin to notice who benefits and who doesn't, all the while a rift rips the two apart and more begin to suffer. Classifications are made on what is “good” according to the system and what is “poor”, and the rift widens until it is almost impossible to close and mend.

From the man-made system of exchange, religion is made unstable and spirituality scarce because of the way in which that God or provider is seen. When such a power as a God is conformed to this system, this God is made not like nature but human-like – with all of man's failures and instability. This God becomes something that can be appeased and appealed to with gifts, money, or good deeds. In this way, that system of exchange is made prevalent in the religious one's prayers and actions. The religious ask for something in exchange for a good dead and is made mad with the sense that he has been rejected when he doesn't get what he asked. The religious one's actions are good only for that promise that they may be put in a good place when they die. In this way, through many, true camaraderie and compassion is made scarce.

When one brings back the example of nature, we can see that the connection that harmonizes and balances between life is also prevalent in death, and connects the two. For example, if that man who picked for his food from nature became sick and was going to die, there shouldn't be any anger to this same God or nature that provided for him because his death is natural to happen. There is not jealousy of the God or a feeling of hatred for the man; there is no “But, why me?” because that man can accept the circumstances, however horrible it may sound to us, because the circumstances simply are and can be no other way. There exists that connection between life and death because of that balance and harmony that is wont in nature and the already general belief that is prevalent in most religions: that all came from God, or the Tao, or Allah and that all must return to it. If this is the accepted nature of things, then what is there to be anxious about, and what is there to truly blame when something goes wrong? With this man-made system of exchange, the religious become depressed through an otherwise source of happiness and their leaders are made delirious, unstable, and fearful of the world around them. This is comparable to the life that so many of us know, that though we have all the means to obtain such mystifying pleasure, our lives, in this age more than ever, have become filled with depression, loneliness, and restlessness.

Trade is good and natural and gives a means for a group to support each other while also supporting one's own self. Flowers give bees food and energy while the bees carry with them the pollen that will produce more flowers. From this, there occurs no transaction, no measuring of terms and items, but the meeting simply is. Perhaps in bad taste or form (though I would argue otherwise), the Communist Manifesto states, “It [cash payment] has drowned the most heavenly ecstasies of religious fervor, of chivalrous enthusiasm, of philistine sentimentalism, in the icy water of egotistical calculation. It has resolved personal worth into exchange value, and in place of the numberless indefeasible charted freedoms, has set up that single, unconscionable freedom – Free Trade. In one word, for exploitation, veiled by religious and political illusions, it has substituted naked, shameless, direct, brutal exploitation.” Though this text has inspired fear in many, I think it makes an important point. The way in which we view the world destroys the connection between life – through spirituality and that interconnectedness – that is and must be prevalent in the singular right of freedom. Though the term is 'Free Trade', there exists a system of involuntary control where, when one purchases that item required for life, both the provider and the consumer are controlled by the variables of an indiscriminate and lifeless equation that undermines the connection of man and life.

Your friend,
Alex

Common Sense

2010-04-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

"Why level downward to our dullest perception always, and praise that as common-sense? The commonest sense is the sense of men asleep, which they express by snoring. Sometimes we are inclined to class those who are once and a half witted with the half-witted, because we appreciate only a third part of their wit. Some would find fault with the morning-red, if they ever got up early enough. 'They pretend,' as I hear, 'that the verses of Kabir have four different sense - illusion, spirit, intellect, and the exoteric doctrine of the Vedas;' but in this part of the world it is considered a ground for complaint if a man's writing admit of more than one interpretation. While England endeavours to cure the potato-rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?"

I'm used to hearing people say that I've no common sense and, to tell you the truth, I'm glad when I hear something like that. What good is common sense when that which is common is nothing more than the petty doings of society? Would you be insulted if I compared your sense to that of ants - how much one can carry upon one's back at a single time, what time to be home everyday, and how much is needed to take care of one's queen - and adulated it? In what instance is this different from comparing my sense to that of what society deems as common or normal? What variables are different? What do I care of the way culture makes itself important and the ways in which its laws and systems oppress those who know of no other way of life?

Perhaps you wish to see me asleep like the rest? Perhaps you wish to see me allow myself to slide in easily to a life where I can be taken care of for the price of my freedom and thought?

How is it sufficient in a culture to be like your neighbor, who is acting like his neighbor and his neighbor in turn? Is it not stagnant to worship the same God in the same way; to strive toward the same goal in the same way; to learn with one another at the same place, same time, and in the same way everyday; does this not cause disease in a dammed brook - uncleanness? Are we to also express ourselves in the similar manner?

We didn't come here to rock
We only came to disappoint you
Cause deep down in your cunt
That's exactly what you wanted us to do

You wanted us to lead you on
You wanted us to bum you out
So you could build us up
And you could knock us down

If that's what gets your dick hard
Telling people they're bad at making art

You wanted to feel cheated
I guess we gave you what you needed
So you're welcome
Don't worry about it

Just stay on the couch
Judge whatever people do
Don't do anything for yourself
I'd hate to see it happen to you

If that's what gets your dick hard
Telling people they're bad at making art
Feeling just like you're the one in charge
Pissing on my most pathetic parts

- "We Didn't Come Here To Rock", Andrew Jackson Jihad

To what advantage is it to strive to "succeed"? What is the haste to comply to a dress code and further the interests of the country, the government, or millionaires and their businesses? Is it really necessary to accept the fact that, in order to survive, one has to compete ruthlessly with one's brother and, while at family dinner, suppress one's contempt with a cheesy smile? Are we to value each other by a pecuniary worth? Are our interactions nothing more but calculations between competing companies - as a beekeeper studies his bees?

"Para todos todo, para nosotros nada."
"For everyone, everything, for us, nothing", Capitalism and the interests of America be damned.

I don't want "common sense", I don't want "sense", I want life.

"If the condition of things which we were made for is not yet, what were any reality which we can substitute? We will not be shipwrecked on a vain reality. Shall we with pains erect a heaven of blue glass over ourselves, though when it is done we shall be sure to gaze still at the true ethereal heaven far above, as if the former were not?"

Your friend
Alex

I stand not by my country

2010-04-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

LINK

This scares me more than any government - a scary word by itself - controlled health care. Police state anyone?

I love me some good hardcore.

A friend of mine dropped me a line, it said, "man, I gotta run to the USA. I got no money, got no job." She skipped out of Mexico to stay alive. You've got a problem with her living here, but what did you do to help her before she fucking came? What did the country do? What did the people do? I stand not by my country, but by people of the whole fucking world. No fences, no borders. Free movement for all. Fuck the border. It's about fucking time to treat people with respect. It's our culture and consumption that makes her life unbearable. Fuck this country; its angry eyes, its knee-jerk hordes. Legal or illegal, watch her fucking go. She'll take what's hers. Watch her fucking go. Fuck the border.

Some people have to stay and fight for survival in the country they live in while others have to leave to survive. Corporations cross international borders all the time in search of people to exploit for profit and no one stops them. They call it globalization. On the other hand, the victims of corporate domination are told that they can't cross borders in search of better lives, and are forced to stay and deal with the social, economic and environmental messes the companies leave behind when they inevitably move their operations to places with even more "favourable business climates” (re: lower wages, lax environmental laws, tax breaks). Looks like capitalism and human-rights don't mix.

I'd add to that: Looks like government and human-rights don't mix.

"We, the Anarchists, point to them and say: If the believers in liberty wish the principles of liberty taught, let them never intrust that instruction to any government; for the nature of government is to become a thing apart, an institution existing for its own sake, preying upon the people, and teaching whatever will tend to keep it secure in its seat. As the fathers said of the governments of Europe, so say we of this government also after a century and a quarter of independence: "The blood of the people has become its inheritance, and those who fatten on it will not relinquish it easily."

"Anarchism and American Traditions" - Voltairine de Cleyre

TRICKLE drops! my blue veins leaving!
O drops of me! trickle, slow drops,
Candid from me falling, drip, bleeding drops,
From wounds made to free you whence you were prison'd,
From my face, from my forehead and lips,
From my breast, from within where I was conceal'd, press forth red
drops, confession drops,
Stain every page, stain every song I sing, every word I say, bloody
drops,
Let them know your scarlet heat, let them glisten,
Saturate them with yourself all ashamed and wet,
Glow upon all I have written or shall write, bleeding drops,
Let it all be seen in your light, blushing drops.

"Trickle Drops" - Walt Whitman

I just returned from sixth grade camp (well, on Friday I did) and, let me tell you, these sixth graders now-a-days are fucked up. I did enjoy being away from home for a week and learning about different wildlife (trees, birds, plants) strangely enough. And, perhaps a most important learning experience, how impressionable young young folks are.

Your friend,
Alex

Talk of heaven! ye disgrace the earth.

2010-04-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

"Flint's Pond! Such is the poverty of our nomenclature. What right had the unclean and stupid farmer, whose farm abutted on this sky water, whose shores he has ruthlessly laid bare, to give his name to it? Some skin-flint, who loved better the reflecting surface of a dollar, or a bright cent, in which he could see his own brazen face; who regarded even the wild ducks which settled in it as trespassers; his fingers grown into crooked and bony talons from the lodge habit of grasping harpy-like;- so it is not named for me. I go not there to see him nor to hear of him; who never saw it, who never bathed in it, who never loved it, who never protected it, who never spoke a good word for it, nor thanked God that He had made it. Rather let it be named from the fishes that swim in it, the wild fowl or quadrupeds which frequent it, the wild flowers which grow by its shores, or some wild man or child the thread of whose history is interwoven with its own; not from him who could show no title to it but the deed which a like-minded neighbor or legislature gave him- him who thought only of its money value; whose presence perchance cursed all the shores; who exhausted the land around it, and would fain have exhausted the waters within it; who regretted only that it was not English hay or cranberry meadow- there was nothing to redeem it, forsooth, in his eyes- and would have drained and sold it for the mud at its bottom. It did not turn his mill, and it was no privilege to him to behold it. I respect not his labors, his farm where everything has its price, who would carry the landscape, who would carry his God, to market, if he could get anything for him; who goes to market for his god as it is; on whose farm nothing grows free, whose fields bear no crops, whose meadows no flowers, whose trees no fruits, but dollars; who loves not the beauty of his fruits, whose fruits are not ripe for him till they are turned to dollars. Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth. Farmers are respectable and interesting to me in proportion as they are poor- poor farmers. A model farm! where the house stands like a fungus in a muckheap, chambers for men horses, oxen, and swine, cleansed and uncleansed, all contiguous to one another! Stocked with men! A great grease- spot, redolent of manures and buttermilk! Under a high state of cultivation, being manured with the hearts and brains of men! As if you were to raise your potatoes in the churchyard! Such is a model farm. No, no; if the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest men alone. Let our lakes receive as true names at least as the Icarian Sea, where "still the shore" a "brave attempt resounds."
...
White Pond and Walden are great crystals on the surface of the earth, Lakes of Light. If they were permanently congealed, and small enough to be clutched, they would, perchance, be carried off by slaves, like precious stones, to adorn the heads of emperors; but being liquid, and ample, and secured to us and our successors forever, we disregard them, and run after the diamond of Kohinoor. They are too pure to have a market value; they contain no muck. How much more beautiful than our lives, how much more transparent than our characters, are they! We never learned meanness of them. How much fairer than the pool before the farmers door, in which his ducks swim! Hither the clean wild ducks come. Nature has no human inhabitant who appreciates her. The birds with their plumage and their notes are in harmony with the flowers, but what youth or maiden conspires with the wild luxuriant beauty of Nature? She flourishes most alone, far from the towns where they reside. Talk of heaven! ye disgrace earth."

"The Ponds" Walden - Henry David Thoreau

I love the raw power I hear underneath the prose of Thoreau; and yet, I am equally subdued by the adulation that is inscribed in his apostrophes to Nature. In such an expression of the human soul, what can profane the manifestations received from what seems to be the Divine?

Another thought that I only write for personal record:
Perhaps there has been a mistake between that of bitterness and a disenchanting departure of the mind?

Your friend,
Alex

I am Lazarus, come from the dead

2010-03-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

Of obedience, faith, adhesiveness;
As I stand aloof and look there is to me something pro-
foundly affecting in large masses of men fol-
lowing the lead of those who do not believe
in men.

"Thought", Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman

Hast never come to thee an hour,
A sudden gleam divine, precipitating, bursting all these bub-
bles, fashions, wealth?
These eager business aims - books, politics, art, amours,
To utter nothingness.

"Hast Never Come To Thee An Hour", Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman

I sit and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and upon all
oppression and shame;
I hear secret convulsive sobs from young men, at anguish with
themselves, remorseful after deeds done;
I see, in low life, the mother misused by her children, dying,
neglected, gaunt, desperate;
I see the wife misused by her husband--I see the treacherous seducer
of young women;
I mark the ranklings of jealousy and unrequited love, attempted to be
hid--I see these sights on the earth;
I see the workings of battle, pestilence, tyranny--I see martyrs and
prisoners;
I observe a famine at sea--I observe the sailors casting lots who
shall be kill'd, to preserve the lives of the rest;
I observe the slights and degradations cast by arrogant persons upon
laborers, the poor, and upon negroes, and the like;
All these--All the meanness and agony without end, I sitting, look
out upon,
See, hear, and am silent.

"I Sit and Look Out", Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman

Perhaps,
faltering with the control I've over my own -
ceding unto metamorphosis,
unto what is, perchance,
tantamount to sand sifting through unlearned hands,
each crystal a manifestation
of Chaos -
of that knowledge of endless Eternity
shifting over an inconceivable number of unchosen paths -
what will have changed?

And,
in leaving Faith with the Universe
will I salvage my sanity?

I was going to post the poem the title of this post alludes to but I chose not to. Perhaps another time for such a jewel of poetry.

Your friend,
Alex

American Traditions

2010-03-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

"It was the intention of the Revolutionists to establish a system of common education, which should make the teaching of history one of its principal branches; not with the intent of burdening the memories of our youth with the dates of battles or the speeches of generals, nor to make the Boston Tea Party Indians the one sacrosanct mob in all history, to be revered but never on any account to be imitated, but with the intent that every American should know to what conditions the masses of people had been brought by the operation of certain institutions, by what means they had wrung out their liberties, and how those liberties had again and again been filched from them by the use of governmental force, fraud, and privilege. Not to breed security, laudation, complacent indolence, passive acquiescence in the acts of a government protected by the label “home-made,” but to beget a wakeful jealousy, a never-ending watchfulness of rulers, a determination to squelch every attempt of those entrusted with power to encroach upon the sphere of individual action - this was the prime motive of the revolutionists in endeavoring to provide for common education.

“Confidence,” said the revolutionists who adopted the Kentucky Resolutions, “is everywhere the parent of despotism; free government is founded in jealousy, not in confidence; it is jealousy, not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power; our Constitution has accordingly fixed the limits to which, and no further, our confidence may go... In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

These resolutions were especially applied to the passage of the Alien laws by the monarchist party during John Adams’ administration, and were an indignant call from the State of Kentucky to repudiate the right of the general government to assume undelegated powers, for said they, to accept these laws would be “to be bound by laws made, not with our consent, but by others against our consent – that is, to surrender the form of government we have chosen, and to live under one deriving its powers from its own will, and not from our authority.” Resolutions identical in spirit were also passed by Virginia, the following month; in those days the States still considered themselves supreme, the general government subordinate.

To inculcate this proud spirit of the supremacy of the people over their governors was to be the purpose of public education! Pick up today any common school history, and see how much of this spirit you will find therein. On the contrary, from cover to cover you will find nothing but the cheapest sort of patriotism, the inculcation of the most unquestioning acquiescence in the deeds of government, a lullaby of rest, security, confidence – the doctrine that the Law can do no wrong, a Te Deum in praise of the continuous encroachments of the powers of the general government upon the reserved rights of the States, shameless falsification of all acts of rebellion, to put the government in the right and the rebels in the wrong, pyrotechnic glorifications of union, power, and force, and a complete ignoring of the essential liberties to maintain which was the purpose of the revolutionists..."

"Anarchism and American Traditions" by Voltairine de Cleyre

Though lengthy, this is an excellent essay that has importance even now, a hundred and one years past the date the author wrote it. This only an excerpt - one that I find to be extremely relative as I am made to go to the same sort of school described in this excerpt and throughout the rest of the essay - though, if you are feeling curious about the whole thing, here's a link. It really is an interesting read, especially with all the "hub-bub" that is just now being raised about our government. On a side note, I refuse to be confused with the crazy wing nuts who are just now raising the hub-bub - I think they call themselves the Tea Partiers? I would like to think I have enough sense to know what I'm talking about before I start picketing and professing the truths of celebrity politicians and their TV/Radio personas.

MUSIC!

2010-03-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

And while posting some music, I would like to post two more, courtesy of If You Make It's "Pink Couch" sessions:

and

The former is really beautiful while the latter is poppy and fun. You can find Ava Luna's EP and album up for a donation-based download here and here, and you can find Vio/Mire's album for purchase here. I hope I have the pleasure of listening to both bands live some day.

Your friend,
Alex

My song of Life, My song of Love

2010-03-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

Very.. inspiring, I think.

Your friend,
Alex

Excerpt from Solitude

2010-03-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

"Men frequently say to me, "I should think you would feel lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy and snowy days and nights especially." I am tempted to reply to such- This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space. How far apart, think you, dwell the two most distant inhabitants of yonder star, the breadth of whose disk cannot be appreciated by our instruments? Why should I feel lonely? is not our planet in the Milky Way? This which you put seems to me not to be the most important question. What sort of space is that which separates a man from his fellows and makes him solitary? I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another. What do we want most to dwell near to? Not to many men surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery, Beacon Hill, or the Five Points, where men most congregate, but to the perennial source of our life, whence in all our experience we have found that to issue, as the willow stands near the water and sends out its roots in that direction. This will vary with different natures, but this is the place where a wise man will dig his cellar....

..Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead man makes indifferent all times and places. The place where that may occur is always the same, and indescribably pleasant to all our senses. For the most part we allow only outlying and transient circumstances to make our occasions. They are, in fact, the cause of our distraction. Nearest to all things is that power which fashions their being. Next to us the grandest laws are continually being executed. Next to us is not the workman whom we have hired, with whom we love so well to talk, but the workman whose work we are."

Walden, "Solitude" - Henry David Thoreau

I enjoy being in solitude. While it is nice talking to those who spark interest, provide good companionship, compassion, and joy, there is always more to learn - and oft ignored and sought elsewhere - of that which can be found within all life and especially one's own. I think loneliness is an attitude - an illusioned one at that - that is associated with solitude that prohibits thinking and life in its highest forms.

"Nearest to all things is that power which fashions their being. Next to us the grandest laws are continually being executed."

I'm continuously amazed at the potential of the power in the human body to support itself without what is being made to be as "necessary". Just some thoughts.

Your friend,
Alex

I believe..

2010-03-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

I believe I've written 3 posts in the last year - in the last three months. I couldn't tell you what they were right now except maybe the last two which was about.. Anarchy and the other about.. Sharon Olds, specifically her poem. The former was after my 17th birthday at which time I received a couple of books from my family for such an occasion of 17 years of life on this earth. I got "Anarchy!", an anthology of Emma Goldman's "Mother Earth"; "Eating Animals", which is about the shit of our modern meat and food industry; "The Kingdom of God is Within You", by Tolstoy and about real Christianity and also Anarchism (I do believe); and "From Hell", by Alan Moore. I'm very grateful, and though I have only briefly started the first book, I can't wait to read the rest.

I wrote in my journal today: "In reproducing Chaos, expect Chaos and greet it with Joy, if only because it is natural in its happening." I wrote such after I had literally tried to replicate what Chaos looked like to me in art and something fucked up. I cursed ("FUCK YOU PAINT") and kicked the air but now I'm kind of glad that it happened and so I wrote about it, however little. I am only disappointed by the tape I put on the board to stop the paint from flying to that point which is kind of ironic because I stopped Chaos with some system and that produced the opposite of what I wanted. So there's something.

I enjoy writing in my journal, I think more so than I enjoy writing on here - though I like both and, in fact, use some material from my journal for topics or entries on here - because it is very intimate and produced mostly for me. I read of this woman who wrote in her journal that was really meant only for her because she wrote in a way that only she could understand it, relating each word and letter to that event and emotion and piece of Chaos that she lived and felt. I think I would like to try that though I hardly write in my journal - or on here - even now. I would really like to do both again. I don't necessarily want to set a prescribed time that I think and write but I want to have to willingness to pick up my pencil and write at times that mean something. Perhaps I'm living in the moment without observing outside of that moment. This could be good or bad, I don't know. Either way, I will see what happens! Which means I might write some more stuff on here as well.

I'm reading a couple of books write now and this feels like it's taking up quite a good while of my time and leaving me refreshed and free from that ennui that seems to characterize most of our lives. I'm happy nonetheless and have been for a good while. I think I could get a good quote out of at least one of the books that I read everyday so I think that could be some good material to post on here while expanding on the quote and idea. I read a post on some blog today that the author likes to keep his posts to some word minimum which is an interesting idea because it compacts what it being said and gives a sharper edge to what is being said. That could be an idea!

I think as I'm writing this, I'm setting a to do list for myself. I find that I'm never really a definite "Let's do it!" or "I'm not doing that" sort of guy and rather a "Perhaps it will happen" and "Perhaps it will not happen" sort of person. I think I like that about myself though perhaps it limits what I do to the whims of my brain and mood. Thus far, I've been reading a lot and not necessarily constraining myself to what others feel I should do with them or without them, but only doing. I want to see where this can bring me.

Your friend,
Alex

Anarchy!

2010-03-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

What is it that makes the brain-worker just as dependent in the intellectual realm as the artisan in the material world? Force. The artist and the writer being compelled to gain a livelihood dare not dream of giving the best of their individuality. No, they must scan the market in order to find out what is demanded just then. Not any different than the dealer in clothes -who must study the style of the season before he places 'his merchandise before the public. Thus art and literature sink to the level of bad taste and speculation. The artistic individuality shrinks before the calculating reckoner. Not that which moves the artist or the writer most receives expression; the vacillating demands of mediocrity of every-day people must be satisfied. The artist becomes the helper of the dealer and the average men, who trot along in the tracks of dull habit.

The State Socialists love to assert that at present we live in the age of individualism; the truth, however, is that individuality was never valued at so low a rate as to-day. Individual thinking and feeling are encumbrances and not recommendations on the paths of life. Wherever they are found on the market they meet with the word "adaptation." Adapt yourself to the demands of the reigning social powers, act the obedient servant before them, and if you produce something be sure that it does not run against the grain of your "superiors," or say adieu to success, reputation and recompense. Amuse the people, be their clown, give them platitudes about which they can laugh, prejudices which they hold as righteousness and falsehoods which they hold as truths. Paint the whole, crown it with regard for good manners, for society does not like to hear the truth about itself. Praise the men in power as fathers of the people, have the devourers of the commonwealth parade along as benefactors of mankind.

An excerpt from "Without Government" by Max Baginski in the publication "Mother Earth", a brainchild of Emma Goldman.

Now I out walking
The world desert,
And my shoe and my stocking
Do me no hurt.

I leave behind
Good friends in town.
Let them get well-wined
And go lined down.

Don't think I leave
For the outer dark
Like Adam and Eve
Put out of the Park.

Forget the myth.
There is no one I
Am put out with
Or put out by.

Unless I'm wrong
I but obey
The urge of a song:
"I'm - bound - away!"

And I may return
If dissatisfied
With what I learn
From having died.

In The Clearing, "Away!" Robert Frost

I think that we may safely trust a good deal more than we do. We may waive just so much care of ourselves as we honestly bestow elsewhere. Nature is as well adapted to our weakness as to our strength. The incessant anxiety and strain of some is a well-nigh incurable form of disease. We are made to exaggerate the importance of what work we do; and yet how much is not done by us! or, what if we had been taken sick? How vigilant we are! determined not to live by faith if we can avoid it; all the day long on the alert, at night we unwillingly say our prayers and commit ourselves to uncertainties. So thoroughly and sincerely are we compelled to live, reverencing our life, and denying the possibility of change. This is the only way, we say; but there are as many ways as there can be drawn radii from one centre. All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant. Confucius said, "To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge." When one man has reduced a fact of the imagination to be a fact to his understanding, I foresee that all men at length establish their lives on that basis.

Walden, "Economy" Henry David Thoreau

Just some things I've been (re)reading and thinking about.

Your friend,
Alex

2010-01-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

I Go Back to May 1937

I see them standing at the formal gates of their colleges,
I see my father strolling out
under the ochre sandstone arch, the
red tiles glinting like bent
plates of blood behind his head, I
see my mother with a few light books at her hip
standing at the pillar make of tiny bricks with the
wrought-iron gate still open behind her, its
sword-tips back in the May air,
they are about to graduate, they are about to get married,
they are kids, they are dumb, all they know is they are
innocent, they would never hurt anybody.
I want to go up to them and say Stop,
don't do it - she's the wrong woman,
he's the wrong man, you are going to do things
you cannot imagine you would ever do,
you are going to do bad things to children,
you are going to suffer in ways you never heard of,
you are going to die. I want to go
up to them there in the at May sunlight and say it,
her hungry pretty blank face turning to me,
her pitiful beautiful untouched body,
his arrogant handsome blind face turning to me,
his pitiful beautiful untouched body,
but I don't do it. I want to live. I
take them up like male and female
paper dolls and bang then together
at the hips like chips of flint as if to
strike sparks from them, I say
Do what you are going to do, and I will tell about it.

~Sharon Olds

Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas

The first poem, I really love because I saw it in the movie Into The Wild and it fit perfectly with the story. Plus, it is a great poem. The second, I also love because it is so fiercely strong to whom it is addressed.

Your friend,
Alex

There are few..

2010-01-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

"There are few of us who have not sometimes wakened before dawn, either after one of those dreamless nights that make us almost enamoured of death, or one of those nights of horror and misshapen joy, when through the chamber of the brain sweep phantoms more terrible than reality itself, and instinct with that vivid life that lurks in all grotesques, and that lends to Gothic art its enduring vitality, this art being, one might fancy especially the art of those whose minds have been troubled with the malady of reverie. Gradually white fingers creep through the curtains, and they appear to tremble. In black fantastic shapes, dumb shadows crawl into the corners of the room, and crouch there. Outside, there is the stirring of birds among the leaves, or the sound of men going forth to their work, or the sigh and sob of the wind coming down from the hills, and wandering round the silent house, as though it feared to wake the sleepers, and yet must needs call forth sleep from her purple cave. Veil after veil of thin dusky gauze is lifted, and by degrees the forms and colours of things are restored to them, and we watch the dawn remaking the world in its antique pattern. The wan mirrors get back their mimic life. The flameless tapers stand where we had left them, and beside them lies the half-cut book that we had been studying, or the wired flower that we had worn at the ball, or the letter that we had been afraid to read, or that we had read too often. Nothing seems to us changed. Out of the unreal shadows of the night comes back the real life that we had known. We have to resume it where we had left off and there steals over us a terrible sense of the necessity for the continuance of energy in the same wearisome round of stereotyped habits, or a wild longing, it may be, that our eyelids might open some morning upon a world that had been re-fashioned anew in the darkness for our pleasure, a world in which things would have fresh shapes and colours, and be changed, or have other secrets, a world in which the past would have little or no place, or survive, at any rate, in no conscious form of obligation or regret, the remembrance even of joy having its bitterness, and the memories of pleasure their pain."

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Chapter XI - Oscar Wilde

Your friend,
Alex

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit late but I've been on some sort of vacation so it's really okay.

I saw Avatar Sunday with a couple of folks and I got to say, besides the 11 dollar fee, it was quite good. The thing that drew me to it most, besides the stunning visuals, was the sense of the spirituality drawn throughout the characters. That sense of spirituality could be compared to Taoism in many ways and, in a sense, Christianity and the other Western religions. In the movie, the religion and their god, is based on biological sources which is pretty cool because it leaves no doubt in anybody's mind of a false entity. The tribe of the movie, the Na'vi, believe - and rightly so - of a connection between all things and, because of this, make no insubstantial believe that they are superior to anything - especially the nature that surrounds their home. Life is taken (or borrowed, as energy) from the source and life is given back when it is used.
From the Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff,

"Taoism is a way of living in harmony with Tao, the Way of the Universe, the character of which is revealed in the workings of the natural world."

and

"Unlike the Confucianists [and perhaps the majority of Christians], Taoists saw the Power of Heaven as both masculine and feminine.. Heavenly Power at work.. has always been seen by Taoists as mostly feminine in its actions. It is gentle, like flowing water. It is humble and generous, like a fertile valley, feeding all who come to it. It is hidden, subtle, and mysterious, like a landscape glimpsed through mist. It takes no sides, grants no authority. It cannot be influenced or appeased by sacrifices and rituals. In dispensing justice, as in all things, it operates with a light touch, an invisible hand... Shying away from displays of arrogance and egotism, it communicates its deepest secrets not to high government officials, pompous scholarly, or wealthy landowners, but to penniless monks, little children, animals, and "fools". If it can be said to be biased in any way, it is in favor of the humble, the weak, and the small."

Through generations and ages of misconceptions and power control, Christianity has been used, - and that is the keyword, "used" not "lived" - and though some have found happiness, others have found confusion and depression from an otherwise wealthy source of joy and content. Perhaps this is because we have not been taught to live by this universal way and natural truth. We live unnaturally through the misconception of power and authority and do not seek to observe the laws that surround us. Perhaps there is a correlation between Taoism and Christianity that can be observed and used to live naturally. A God that is visualized as an old man that grants wishes to those He favors is non-spiritual and is non-fulfilling. This visualized old man cannot be understood and observed correctly because it is the human nature in Him that makes the misconception so unpredictable and dangerous. A God that is visualized as the source of all things - to be taken and used and observed in the relation to oneself and the world - and the end of all things can not necessarily be understood but once observed gives way to respect and compassion for all - because of this "one" source.

In this way, Christianity and God and Religion is biological because it is in the core of all things. It is what Henry David Thoreau went to Walden to find and what we go out to find within ourselves. It is the interconnection between all life and the realization that we, merely animals, are worked into the course of events and actions as any other. It is the spirituality that is (or should be) found in art, literature, science, education, wisdom, life.

"I went into the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau

Your friend,
Alex

The Pledge of the Underground

2009-11-22T22:04:00.000-08:00

It is this generation's call to go underground, sweat with one's brother, and occasionally scream - not because we are afflicted and oppressed but because everything is "normal". There is a casual calmness in the midst of suicides and drug use; a robotic love of the silencing drowning culture we were all born into and, with each day, given the illusion of nothing else but home. Who lives who discovers life and its lie? Those who stay, who can't or won't leave, fight because that's all they can do without sacrificing themselves to the daily body count of those who, in fact, did spot a lie, a glitch in the program we're embedded in. And it is there, underground, where we - only children - cast away our fears and insecurities and, in brotherhood and with the anger inborn in our insubstantial bodies, we expound our emotions that have sickened us unto the walls.

Your friend,
Alex

Aye, piracy!

2009-11-21T10:20:00.000-08:00

Mary Shelley once said in her introduction to Frankenstein:
"Every thing must have a beginning, to speak in Sanchean Phrase; and that beginning must be linked to something that went before. The Hindoos give the world an elephant to support it, but they make the elephant stand upon a tortoise. Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos; the materials must, in the first place, be afforded: it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but cannot bring into being the substance itself. In all matters of discovery and invention, even of those that appertain to the imagination, we are continually reminded of the story of Columbus and his egg. Invention consists in the capacity of seizing on the capabilities of a subject, and in the power of moulding and fashioning ideas suggested to it."

And that brings us to the "Remixer's Manifesto":

1. Culture always builds on the past
2. The past always tries to control the future
2. Our future is becoming less free
3. To build free societies you must limit the control of the past

The remixers are these guys, to put it simply, and strive to pry open the grip modern copyright has on a society built on the theory of freedom to express oneself by - what I think - whatever means necessary. Modern copyright laws have made a whole generation criminal because it (copyright and its owners) is losing control of its subjects and the money it makes from them. And I say modern because copyright has changed from insuring the growth of creativity and expression to allowing as much money that can be made go to the hands of those who choke creativity out of those except a rich few. As Shelly and the Remixer's Manifesto state, everything is built on something already there - a chaos and not a void. I build my information and sentences and paragraphs by the multiples of people before me who have also made strides in some area of thinking. Science is built from previous theories to form into better, more efficient methods. What is the difference between the scientist who builds on the sciences of his predecessors and the remixer who takes what others have created and create it into the an original piece. Perhaps we've so mutated our minds around the idea of owning property that we don't understand that ideas - "intellectual property" - can't be chained down because, if they are, the idea of progress ceases. If scientists could work past the idea of patents on one idea or theory, progress would exceed past the vices and avarice of a society and into one celebrated with brotherhood and mutual respect of creation and creativity. Medicines could be made speedily and treatments made available. If a generation was given a library of that done before them - to rip apart, reform, and put back together - what but good could come from the freedom of our expression?
We are nanos gigantum humeris insidentes - dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants.

The following is a video, courtesy of Hulu for the embedded full video, but mostly thanks to Brett Gaylor, who had a large hand in making the film RiP! A Remix Manifesto:

I encourage you, my internet readers, to look into Creative Commons and be one behind the movement of creativity. I've put a video or two of the creator of CC on this blog a while ago so I'll leave it up to your liberty and interest in the matter to click that link above you and watch it.

“As a writer, my problem is not piracy, it’s obscurity, and CC licenses turn my books into dandelion seeds, able to blow in the wind and find every crack in every sidewalk, sprouting up in unexpected places.” - Cory Doctorow

Your friend,
Alex

The Warren!

2009-11-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

For those who live in Maryland or West Virginia: The Warren - in Frostburg, Maryland - is having a show this Sunday (November 22) at 7! I Forget, Perfect Future, Empire! Empire!, and The Reptillian are playing. Bring some money to support local bands - they need some gas money - and the local music scene!
Support your local revolution.
Support your local music scene.

Your friend,
Alex

Also,

2009-11-11T19:07:00.000-08:00

I'd like to tell you, dearest Internet: Happy Armistice Day.
I almost forgot and I think my blanking out on it possibly emphasizes the fact of the loss of meaning of this day, which is why I like when people say Armistice Day instead of Veteran's Day. So, thank you, Mr. Cowgill, my history teacher, for spreading your knowledge around. And, though I don't like war and think most of it's pointless bickering between two - or more - humans that happen to be leading a country, the people who are fighting in it are more often pawns in the process and I'd like to say thank you for the sacrifices that you make to join something you believe may effect something.
Here's a pretty cool link I found that really makes an impact behind the meaning of the day the "world stopped fighting".

Your friend,
Alex

Fair and Balanced!

2009-11-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, now a preface to why I posted the following video: I posted this video to show the biased approach of most media around the country. I posted about FOX because that was the easiest and most available to find (obviously - but strike that last remark off the record), and plus, the video is absolutely hilarious.

Anyway, I've been reading a book called The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz, and it's turning into an interesting read. He's talked on TED a few times, which is what got me interested in the book in the first place. I'm not going to talk about the book any until I've finished it, but I will say this: "The joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days" and I'll follow it up with the subtitle of The Paradox of Choice: "How The Culture of Abundance Robs Us Of Satisfaction" just to get you thinking. I'm almost done the book so I'll be talking about it soon enough - and I tell you, my loving readers, it's an interesting read.

I am going to leave another video from TED by Schwartz, on the loss of wisdom by the constraint of rules and incentives in our culture, though. It's another thing to get one thinking:

Now, this being watched - hopefully - one could say in response to my first video, "Media has the moral obligations to go from an objective viewpoint to a biased viewpoint in order to deliver a portion of the news that will spark a reaction from the country for patriotism and the fervor to fight for one's country." I counter that with "No." Haha, no, I counter that with, "Media has the moral obligation to break one's own rules for backing a faction in any and all situations, and delivering the news objectively so people of this country can decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong."

Your friend,
Alex

Sanctity of Marriage

2009-11-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Kontraband

I have a book and album/band I want to talk about, but I want to read more of that book, so more later/tomorrow!

Your friend,
Alex

It ought to be mentioned..

2009-11-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

My previous post about EZLN was all due to the new release of Dead to Me's new album African Elephants - indirectly related to Kyle, who showed me their myspace which held their streaming album. While I was listening to the album I saw pictures in their influences and it sparked my interest, and thus, a post to you, my dearest readers and the ineffable entity that is the internet. Amen and Hallelujah.

Because I liked the album so much, here's a sampler from African Elephants, courtesy of Fat Wreck Chords.

Dead To Me - "A Day Without A War"

Go buy the album 'cause it's coming out soon! I hope I can do so as well. It sounds like the old Dead To Me to me though they lost a person or two, but you'll have to go to Kyle for all the details and what he thinks about the album. He can do those things better than I can.

Also! While the topic of EZLN is still fresh:

A song directly alluding to the Zapatista movement by Anti-Flag, entitled "Zapatista, Don't Give Up". Perhaps not the most original of titles but eh... who cares. Someone should appreciate it.

Your friend,
Alex

I know how to obey, I was trained to obey.

2009-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

I've recently watched a documentary called "A Place Called Chiapas". I'd give it a thumbs up - documenting the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional, or EZLN) and its movement. Though history has shown us that revolutions are usually bad (ironically, I can see that through this blog's title), this movement is interesting. Like most uprisings in Mexico, a big issue being fought over is for the better social and economic (which, I think is a bad word to use here) opportunities for the indigenous peoples of Mexico. From what I understand, EZLN, led by Subcomandante Marcos, invaded Mexico City after the signing of NAFTA - only to be pushed back again by the Mexican Army - to bring to light the disadvantages that would continue on the poor. Since that initial uprising in 1994, EZLN has abstained from using any weapons, instead using their voice, which before they did not have. The New York Times, according to the the documentary, have called EZLN the first "post modern" revolution. And you know what? I like the sound of it. If you, my special readers, would like to see the documentary yourself, why, here it is courtesy of the devil's accomplice, Google:

"I have a dead brother. Who doesn't have a dead brother? I have one. Killed by a bullet at dawn on January 1, 1994. Very early came that bullet. Very early death kissed my brother's forehead. He used to laugh. Not now. I can't keep him in my pocket, but I kept the bullet. I asked the bullet where it came from. It answered, 'From a gun. From a government soldier's gun serving those in power who themselves serve others.' That deadly bullet has no country. Nor does the fight to keep brothers, and not bullets, in our pockets. That's why Zapatistas wear uniforms with many pockets. Not to keep bullets, but to keep brothers."

"In the mountains of Chiapas, death was a daily part of life. It was as common as rain or sunshine. People here coexist with death, and with the death of their own, especially the little ones. Paradoxically, death begins to shed its tragic cloak. Death becomes a daily fact. It loses its sacredness. You see it as someone you sit down with at the table, like an old acquaintance. You don't lose your fear of death, but you become familiar with it. It becomes your equal. Death, which is so near, so close, so possible, is less terrifying for us than for others. So, going out and fighting, and perhaps meeting death is not as terrible as it seems. For us, at least. In fact, what surprises and amazes us is life itself. The hope of a better life. Going out to fight and die and finding out you're not dead, but alive. And, unintentionally, you realize you're walking along a middle path between death and life. You're walking on the edge of the border between them."

Para todos todo, para nosotros nada.

Your friend,
Alex

Can you spare a dime, brother?

2009-11-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime," lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931): They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob,; When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.; They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,; Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?; Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.; Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?; Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime;; Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,
Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum,
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,
And I was the kid with the drum!; Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.; Why don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,
Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum,
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,
And I was the kid with the drum!; Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.; Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?
-Song from the Great Depression

I don't see any rewards to be reaped from an inanimate entity.

Your friend,
Alex

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

2009-11-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pit where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know,
The place where the sidewalk ends.

-Shel Silverstein

I wish I had payed more attention to this guy when I was younger. I have one of his books, and I could've swore I had Where the Sidewalk Ends; alas, I'm pretty sure I do not.

I recently read The Doll House by Ibsen for English and I'm not going to lie, for the first time in the class, I did not like what we were doing. The play really turned around in the end though so it payed off, I guess, and now that I know what the play is about fully, and what happens, I can appreciate it more when I read it again.

Yo' friend,
Alex

To Inherit the Wind

2009-10-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

"Can't you understand? That if you take a law like evolution and you make it a crime to teach it in the public schools, tomorrow you can make it a crime to teach it in the private schools? And tomorrow you may make it a crime to read about it. And soon you may ban books and newspapers. And then you may turn Catholic against Protestant, and Protestant against Protestant, and try to foist your own religion upon the mind of man. If you can do one, you can do the other. Because fanaticism and ignorance is forever busy, and needs feeding. And soon, your Honor, with banners flying and with drums beating we'll be marching backward, BACKWARD, through the glorious ages of that Sixteenth Century when bigots burned the man who dared bring enlightenment and intelligence to the human mind!"

Excellent movie about the Scopes trails in the 1925. Look it up or watch the movie of the same title as my title. I wouldn't say it's about religion but instead about thinking instead of following without thought, blindly and aimlessly.

Your friend,
Alex

Vaccine My Ass!

2009-10-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is why I'm not getting a H1N1 vaccine.

Your friend,
Alex

Much Madness

2009-10-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

"Much Madness is Divinest Sense" - Emily Dickinson

Much madness is divinest sense
To a discerning eye;
Much sense the starkest madness.
'T is the majority
In this, as all, prevails.
Assent, and you are sane;
Demur, - you're straightaway dangerous,
And handled with a chain.

Much Madness - "White Clowns" (If you've read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - believe me, if you haven't read it, read it.. then read it again. The second time is amazing) and loud distracting noises accompanied with the colors and fireworks to capture the attention of a society poisoned with the attention span of a beetle - is treated as Divinest Sense - and truly treated as the divine, a holy guide in one's life.

That's all I'm saying about that today.

Your friend,
Alex

No rant, just a video:

2009-10-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

I really hate getting into politics because it takes way too much time for a result of not much. I see the simple act of voicing one's opinions much more detrimental to changing something. The following video's speaker isn't the best speaker but he makes some good points. The "Stonewall" he mentions can be explained more in depth here, but basically they were a set of riots June 28, 1969 advocating gay rights.
Courtesy of FORA.tv, which is evidentially pretty similar to TED:

So, now that I think about it and can question, how much progress has been upheld for the sake of "more important" items? How much have the liberties of the people - the so called upholders of this country - been forsaken by our so called leaders and politicians?

"Well I perceive that never sated is
Our intellect unless the Truth illume it,
Beyond which nothing true expands itself.

It rests therein, as wild beast in his lair,
When it attains it; and it can attain it;
If not, then each desire would frustrate be.

Therefore springs up, in fashion of a shoot,
Doubt at the foot of truth; and this is nature,
Which to the top from height to height impels us."

- Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, Paradiso, Canto IV

Your friend,
Alex

And now for a little rant:

2009-10-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Something important thing that I'd like to get down before I lose the emotion. In light of Obama saying he was going to rid the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the Army, I found out my parents don't support it (Obama's actions against the act; they support the act itself..from what I understand). This is the reason they - or at least my mother - have given me: The "don't ask, don't tell" policy is so gay men - and women, I suppose - can join and not threaten straight people in the Army because, apparently, there's an imminent threat of a butt raping anywhere a gay man is seen. And so that tells you how fuckin' stupid one can be and still join the Army. And I really, truly hate to say that because most of my family on one side or another have been in the Army, but from what I heard today, the former fact is true.

And if you don't believe what I just said, look at it this way: If one said, "I don't want to know if you've African American roots in your family because then I'd know you'd be lazy and might mug me when you get the chance - and that really would make me feel uncomfortable." that would, in fact, be racist. So what in the hell is the difference? What separates the homophobes from the racists? What separates the lynchers from the straight boys who killed the gay kid in school? I tell you, there's no fuckin' difference between the two - both are wrong and should be rid of in this so called "land of the free". I tell you, I feel so ashamed of having a white family who really and truly discriminates - or supports this discrimination - against a race, religion, belief, attitude, or sexual preference - a sexual fuckin' preference, for God's sake. I tell you what, new rule, if a person is Christian, he/she is not allowed to join the military unless he/she chooses not talk about his/her faith, ideas, loves, and beliefs. How's that for a policy? I'll add this in as well: that person's marriage will not be recognized in most states of the United States AND that person is also going to an afterlife reserved for a people's murderers, rapists, and truly evil people. But it's a choice, right? Someone so far from the right way shouldn't have full rights, right? Someone so far from the right set of morals shouldn't be allowed into a heaven, right? You call yourselves Christians, I call you hypocrites. You, you racist, you homophobe, are just as guilty as the murderer who killed Lawrence King or Harvey Milk.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:7-8

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother let me pull the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thine own eye, and then chalt thou see clearly to pull the mote that is in thy brother's eye. Luke 6:42

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Isaiah 29:15-16

I can not help but let in the despise for these people in my heart. I can not help but let in hate.

And now for something completely different and a break from the little rant of anger:

The following is free by courtesy of Bartleby.com, which is coincidentally - and very aptly - named after "Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville. The site carries a great many works of literature, essays, and more online. It's helped many times for AP Lit.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

18. The Hill Wife - Robert Frost


LONELINESS (Her Word) ONE ought not to have to care
So much as you and I
Care when the birds come round the house
To seem to say good-bye;

Or care so much when they come back	5
With whatever it is they sing;
The truth being we are as much
Too glad for the one thing

As we are too sad for the other here—
With birds that fill their breasts	10
But with each other and themselves
And their built or driven nests.

HOUSE FEAR Always—I tell you this they learned—
Always at night when they returned
To the lonely house from far away	15
To lamps unlighted and fire gone gray,
They learned to rattle the lock and key
To give whatever might chance to be
Warning and time to be off in flight:
And preferring the out- to the in-door night,	20
They learned to leave the house-door wide
Until they had lit the lamp inside.

THE SMILE (Her Word) I didn’t like the way he went away.
That smile! It never came of being gay.
Still he smiled—did you see him?—I was sure!	25
Perhaps because we gave him only bread
And the wretch knew from that that we were poor.
Perhaps because he let us give instead
Of seizing from us as he might have seized.
Perhaps he mocked at us for being wed,	30
Or being very young (and he was pleased
To have a vision of us old and dead).
I wonder how far down the road he’s got.
He’s watching from the woods as like as not.

THE OFT-REPEATED DREAM She had no saying dark enough	35
For the dark pine that kept
Forever trying the window-latch
Of the room where they slept.

The tireless but ineffectual hands
That with every futile pass	40
Made the great tree seem as a little bird
Before the mystery of glass!

It never had been inside the room,
And only one of the two
Was afraid in an oft-repeated dream	45
Of what the tree might do.

THE IMPULSE It was too lonely for her there,
And too wild,
And since there were but two of them,
And no child,	50

And work was little in the house,
She was free,
And followed where he furrowed field,
Or felled tree.

She rested on a log and tossed	55
The fresh chips,
With a song only to herself
On her lips.

And once she went to break a bough
Of black alder.	60
She strayed so far she scarcely heard
When he called her—

And didn’t answer—didn’t speak—
Or return.
She stood, and then she ran and hid	65
In the fern.

He never found her, though he looked
Everywhere,
And he asked at her mother’s house
Was she there.	70

Sudden and swift and light as that
The ties gave,
And he learned of finalities
Besides the grave.

I found this series of poems today while reading The Poetry of Robert Frost and quite enjoyed it so I thought I'd share it with you, my online friends. Woo! One can make a lot of fear, anxiety, and insanity with nature, as well as beauty, and perhaps that's what I liked about it most.

You know, my internet readers, I've been thinking of putting something of literary merit on here everyday to prepare for my AP exam in May, or whatever date. I probably won't do it soon because I've a lot of work already this first semester.

Your friend,
Alex

Everybody does a little cock sucking!

2009-09-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

The following is connected to the previous post but also brings up a new subject, as I hope most of these posts do. Ahem:
Free music from the generosity of Quote Unquote Records:

The Taxpayers - "Dig Too Deep"

Dig too deep, get hot, hot hell, get devils inside your body.
Climb too high, get wet, wet wings, get heaven inside your throat.

And when the city starts to shatter. When the military comes. When the soldiers from their bases do arrive: we're going to feel the earth shake.

Do you have any more money? Do you have any more food? Do you even have a roof over your head? Looks as though the end is coming soon.

The following was taken off this page off the same record label, posted with the lyrics of the song previous to this statement, ya see?

The Icarus myth is commonly used to illustrate the danger of extremes. It's probably familiar to you, but basically, it's the story of Icarus and his father Daedalus, who are both exiled on the island of Crete. In order to escape, Icarus builds wings out of wax and feathers. His father warns him not to fly too close to the ocean, or too close to the sun, but sure enough, Icarus gets lost in thought and ends up too high, where the sun melts his wings and he splashes into a watery grave (yarrr!). In James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the myth is alluded to regarding extremes in a potential genius. Here, it alludes to post-industrial society going too far.

I've been listening in my history class, and my teacher is one of the only teachers I've had that doesn't cover up or understate the truth of the history that is America's. He explains everyday how America, "for liberty and justice for all", was founded on deceit, the exploitation of the peoples of a different race and/or class, and greed. I can not change what happened on days past, but I think there are important things to learn from the grasps of history. The only difference I see from the past and present is the amount we choose to ignore and follow, if any difference at all. If what one is founded on is corruption, how can one be built without that same corruption tainted from within? How deep have we dug; are we to be burned by the fires of hell? How high have we flew; are we to scorch the backs of the low by the rays of the sun?

Just some thoughts to write down.

Your friend,
Alex

To Lilly Allen:

2009-09-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is a brilliant song and it's all for free!
Imagine that.
Seriously, aren't our laws really killing creativity instead of protecting those who take the time to make the music? Fans will be fans and I guarantee that those fans will give their right arm to go to concerts, and get merch at those concerts, and maybe buy a hard copy of the CD even if they did get the music on it for free! Believe me, most of the CDs I have, I bought 'em because they were bands that I found out I liked after I found their music for free on the net. It's a new culture, and surprisingly, it's not greedy. Let "piracy" reign free!

I know I've posted this video before, but I'll do it again because I'm a nice blogger.
Courtesy of Ted:

Your friend,
Alex

Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

2009-09-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/33842/terrible-beauty-atomic-bomb-tests

It is a terribly beautiful, magnificently deadly thing, is it not?

Your friend,
Alex

Yeah Mayne...

2009-09-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Oh God, I love the music from the 20's.

Peggy Lee - Why Don't You Do Right? :

Such a damn smooth voice with an amazing song to back her up. Just take a moment, close your eyes, and feel that rhythm. I like to watch the visualization of the song on the boob tube (though that's cheating in ways).. it's so relaxing.

Here it is with Benny Goodman and his band!

Jessica Rabbit does it too! What other reasons do you need?!

Your friend,
Alex

Popular Culture's

2009-09-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

for suckers!

What an asshole:

Though I find it really hard to get mad at what goes on between the reapers of a mediocre culture.

This is kind of funny though:

Your friend,
Alex

It's the breast thing you could ever do.

2009-09-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

Zach Galifianakis

That's hilarious.

On a more serious note, so is this from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll:

She stood silent for a minute, thinking: then she suddenly began again. `Then it really hashappened, after all! And how, who am I? I will remember, if I can! I'm determined to do it!' But being determined didn't help much, and all she could say, after a great deal of puzzling, was,`L, I know it begins with L!'

Just then a Fawn came wandering by: it looked at Alice with its large gentle eyes, but didn't seem at all frightened. `Here then! Here then!' Alice said, as he held out her hand and tried to stroke it; but it only started back a little, and then stood looking at her again.

`What do you call yourself?' the Fawn said at last. Such a soft sweet voice it had!

`I wish I knew!' thought poor Alice. She answered, rather sadly, `Nothing, just now.'

`Think again,' it said: `that won't do.'

Alice thought, but nothing came of it. `Please, would you tell me what you call yourself?' she said timidly. `I think that might help a little.'

`I'll tell you, of you'll move a little further on,' the Fawn said. `I can't remember here.'

So they walked on together though the wood, Alice with her arms clasped lovingly round the soft neck of the Fawn, till they came out into another open field, and here the Fawn gave a sudden bound into the air, and shook itself free from Alice's arms. `I'm a Fawn!' it cried out in a voice of delight, `and, dear me! you're a human child!' A sudden look of alarm came into its beautiful brown eyes, and in another moment it had darted away a full speed.

I like it because it shows the power of names through a fairy tale. Just a bit of background, though this should've went before: Alice must go through a forest where things have no names. That's basically all there is. Simple, eh? I hope you enjoyed it.

Your friend,
Alex

2009-08-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

"Fury said to
a mouse, That
he met in the
house, 'Let
us both go
to law: I
will prose-
cute you. -
Come, I'll
take no de-
nail: We
must have
the trial;
For really
this morn-
ing I've
nothing
to do.'
Said the
mouse to
the cur.
'Such a
trials, dear
sir. With
no jury
or judge,
would
be wast-
ing our
breath.'
'I'll be
jury,'
said
cun-
ning
old
Fury;
'I'll
try
the
whole
cause,
and
con-
demn
you to
death'."

New book! Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through The Looking Glass.
Lord of the Flies was excellent and so was War of the Worlds. Just a small update because I'm very tired.. no thanks to school.

Your friend,
Alex

First day of school!

2009-08-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here's how it went:
I confirmed that I will in fact be receiving huge amounts of homework this semester, and this is a bit new to me I must say.
I got put in second lunch with none of my friends and a bunch of freshman and sophomores!

Now, I know what you're going to say: "Alex, you were once a freshman and what not too.."
And I say this: "But, cooome on! The lunching arrangement doesn't even work!" I will not go into details but that is just a little bit of me personal life.

In relative but other news, I had to write a couple of essays for school over the course of the summer. I'm a bit happy with them for my level right now, so I want to share them. They don't really have to do with the books or a certain topic so it should anyway. The first is a speech about fear, relating to Lord of the Flies; the second a essay on why I want to take an AP History class and something about my favorite quote. I apologize in advance for spelling and grammar mistakes, but if I was not able to correct them for my teachers, I was not going to RE-check them for you. Enjoy or don't, but this is sometimes the usual stuff I put on here anyways.

1st - Living Without Fear (or something to that effect)

In the Lord of the Flies by William Golding, it takes only a child-like sense of fear to transform nothingness into a beast – if whom is mentioned inspires a cold paralysis of the body's soul. Though only imagined, the Beast is treated as if a god waiting for the moment to seize a body in the night. It is made real by the boys' minds, taking and forming that supernatural and superstitious fear into something equally supernatural; an ancient power from the void of time. It is made tangible through an offering to that fear – feeding it, allowing it to breathe and move among the boys. By these actions, the Lord of the Flies could be awakened; a devil among the innocent boys, living through them, inspiring the savage actions and rituals of the island.

Fear is natural and therefore good. Fear is what makes us human; it gives us caution before we move ahead too recklessly. Fear becomes unhealthy and dangerous when we can not control it and give away to its illusions. Then, under these circumstances, the emotion becomes less of an admonitory factor and more of a controlling factor, changing some thing into something it's not. Under this transformation we give that thing power it doesn't have, thus effectively imprisoning ourselves by our own minds. How much fear is put into the authority of judges or politicians; into the stereotypes of different races or religions; into the inhumanity of terrorists or warring factions? It is true that some these should be feared or respected, but not so much they are made to be inhuman. As this should always be remembered from Yoda: “Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to suffering.” We should live not without fear but instead with courage, thus leaving the human only human and equal, and approach the treacherous with caution.

The ancient Samurai of Japan developed a Code of the Samurai that taught to not fear death. Instead, the Samurai lived with death and respected it, consequently rising among the top of the martial practices in the world. The Native Americans of the “new world” did not live in fear of the primeval wilderness surrounding the continent, but instead learned to respect it, nurture it, and make use of it for survival. If the boys of the Lord of the Flies learned to control their fear and learn from it – discovering in fact there was no physical beast – they could have survived without murder or war. When we can learn to control our fear – instead of feeding it – we many learn to survive by rising out of the darkness and mindset from which we trapped ourselves at the start of humanity.

2nd - Essay on me

I'm taking this course for a couple of reasons: firstly, learning isn't as bad as everybody makes it out to be, so sometimes I like to fill up my head with knowledge. This class can help with that. Secondly, however boring some of it may be, history is very important – not only so one may look good in an intelligent conversation but so one may know where one's roots come from. In the ages of humanity, we have learned much as a people as a mixture of races, religions, minds of thought, and practices. When we act alone without the failures and successes of humans passed, we act stupidly and not relative to the needs of humanity. From the experiences of the legends of the ancients and the stories of our grandfathers, we can know what is best for ourselves and our race of humanity. And when we try something new, we can record the failures or successes of that something in the passages of history for the generations below us to learn.

By taking AP History, I hope for many things: I hope to learn something about American history past the Civil War; I hope to not learn everything there is to know of American history, but that of the trials and work of the American people and not so much of the conquering of nations under America. This does not interest me so much as facts do about my stretchy book cover used to protect the textbook for this class. I believe it is mostly this history of the ones under the affect of the governments controlling them then the governments themselves. That is what – though it might be likely to change – is what I'd like to get out of AP History.

My favorite quote is a lengthy one by Herman Goering, a Nazi military leader and politician, uttered during the Nuremberg Trials and an interview there: “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.” I like this quote not because it denounces nationalism and exposes the effect of a country's leaders - democratically elected or not - on it's people and their actions, but for the danger of a nation's people growing up to believe without knowing why one is believing. When this is the case, one is not thinking but simply following the practices of their forefathers whether they apply to one's time or not. When this is the case, one is not thinking but simply following the voices of their leader's drum, whether that drum is beating to the rhythm of war, ethnocentrism, evil, or good. In this way, a nation's history can be lost to an illusion of romanticism and untruth. By that, my previous paragraphs fly out the window, and we cannot accurately learn and live for ourselves. I believe if we are not thinking, we are not living, no matter how luxurious the world of entertainment and fun seems to the world of equality and a people's justice.

I cut out some on the latter assignment.

Your friend,
Alex

The greatest health care system in the world!

2009-08-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

"And it's located in the USA!
No, don't tell me any different because I know.
My fellow "Red, White, and Blue" blooded citizens have told me all about it, along with a couple of blokes on TV and in the government.
I'm only sixteen and can tell you about all of the things I've heard about this "reformed" health care! It's socialism, I tell ya! I mean, look over in Canada and Europe: you can't even get emergency service performed on you for up to six-months! Believe me, I know! I've never been over there to experience the system, but I know! My TV has told me!"

Okay, now back to me:
How can people be so stupid? I'm not saying that this "reformed" health care "solution" is the right answer, I'm just saying that people talking and complaining on TV ("Oh, it's socialism. Obama is a NAZI! This is America!) about how they know all about how this going to turn out can't possibly know anything with the "facts" they've been given from the boob-tube. I wish there was a real media that could tell the American people the truth, however harsh it may be. And leave out all of the celebrity shit.
Here's a Foreign Policy post about health care and the US.

That's all I'm saying about this. And one more thing: Who the fuck is Palin to say anything about.. anything?! Death Panels my left ass-cheek.

Anyway, I'm probably not one to talk about anything on policy, as I believe I have no future in it. I've taken a turn to the way of "natural selection". Let Nature take care of it, you know? When I die, I think I'd like to be decomposed into the ground and give something back to the earth for once in my live. Screw burning me into ashes or burying me in a expensive coffin. Screw retirement plans! If I can help it, I'm never working a day of my life in a cubicle bestrewn office doing work that monkeys can do. No offense to monkeys. That stuff's expensive; for the wallet and the mind. You catch my drift?

I saw a interview on John Stewart the other day about the author of Born To Run. It's apparently about this tribe of Native Americans located in Mexico called the Tarahumara who run on rocky terrain for hundreds of miles in only homemade sandles. I hope they are not extinct by the time I'm allowed to get out of this place. I also hope I can read some of the book.

Oh, and I just started War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells today, before school starts up. I'll let you know more about it as I continue the book.

Your friend,
Alex

I keep drinkin' malted milk , try'n to drive my blues away

2009-08-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin', as the flowers is in May.

It is a tale of temple bells,
sounding at sunset before
the image of Buddha; it is
a tale of love and lovers;
it is a tale of tears.

I watched the silent movie, Broken Blossoms (1919), this morning. One could definitely tell a difference between Hollywood of the past and of today very clearly. This movie reminds me of poetry, music and art, while movies made today are rare to hold such qualities in them. This wasn't the best movie I've ever seen and it won't change my life but it still was a treat, nonetheless.

It's funny because the movie is about tolerance while a Asian man falls in love with a poor British girl, but the actor for the "Yellow Man" is played by a white actor! Nevertheless, I say give it a go; you can always turn it off if you don't like the acting, early 1900 music, or text as speech. You can find the whole movie online with a search on Google.

Your friend,
Alex

My EAR!!

2009-08-10T16:39:00.000-07:00

I think of all aches, I hate earaches the worst.

Kyle is on better terms with his girlfriend who is moving to the Navy. That is perhaps better than I could've done. Job well done, Kyle.

So, I ordered 10 CDs for 20 dollars and another 2 CDs for 9 a couple of days ago over the mail. I hope they come in soon so I can get some new music in my mind. The first set of CDs are all ska bands from Asian Man Records. I'm really excited for the Potshot CD that's coming with the pack because ska and Japanese is a really god mixture. I actually discovered them a couple of years ago, so I'm mostly glad that I know some bands and the label. There are a few others whose name's sound familiar but I'll tell you more about them when they come mah house. The second set of CDs is from a label based in Kentucky called Sidejar Records. The Wild is a folk band and Two Hand Fools is a folk-ish punk-ish band, of which genre I like very much. So, that's that.

I'm kind of worried that I'm getting to many things to part away with when I go wandering around the world. I suppose that the fact that I'm worrying about it is something. I shouldn't get to sentimental but I love my books and music. And women, specifically my girlfriend. I'm very lucky, in the fact that I can call some of those things my own.

I think I will take two books when everything happens: The Bible and some other book. I think the Bible is philosophical and theological enough so I might not take anything like Walden. Maybe some sort of fiction or adventure.

Your friend,
Alex

One Simple Thing

2009-08-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Willy Mason - "One Simple Thing" through the courtesy of Team Love Records.

Oh my darling, how I wish I could see through
the eyes of an eagle seeing you seeing me.
Then maybe I'd know, there's one simple thing:

Do I bring you sorrow or bring you relief?

I must know the answer, I need to know now.
I called to my baby, I called to her loud.
I called her so jealous, I called to her so mean.
I can tell by her eyes, there's one simple thing.

And I watch her slip right into the crowd.
Led up to a man and wrapped her arms around.
How did he get so close to my queen?
He must be the answer, to that one simple thing.

Once I made her smile, I made her smile so.
And that smile poured heaven right into my soul.
Until I went to her house with nothing to bring,
and I started to wonder about that one simple thing.

I'll tell you a story, a story I'll tell.
A boy walks through heaven and thinks that it's Hell.
Until he knows is one simple thing:

Do his footsteps bring sorrow or carry relief?

I love folk music, yo.

Your friend,
Alex

Improvised Title, Part Two

2009-08-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

And then I let it lie, fallow, perchance, for a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.

By the way, the below is from an article from this link.

In the past decade, have you downloaded music from a peer-to-peer service like LimeWire? Or shared files on the original Napster? Once? Twice? Lots? If so, you might want to hire a good lawyer, or consider moving to another country. Lately, major record labels—specifically, the "Big Four" (EMI, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and their many subsidiaries)—have been looking for folks like you.

You may not immediately recognize the names Jammie Thomas-Rasset or Joel Tenenbaum, but you should. Ms. Thomas-Rasset is the Minnesota single mother who, in June, was sued by the major record labels and ordered to pay roughly $1.9 million for downloading and sharing 24 songs. Mr. Tenenbaum, 25, was just successfully sued by subsidiaries of Universal, Warner, and Sony for sharing what he admitted in court last week were hundreds of songs over Napster and Kazaa, starting around 1999.

Here's a snippet from a BBC News story last week that focused on Tenenbaum's trial:

Under U.S. law, the recording companies are entitled to $750 to $30,000 per infringement. However, the jury can raise the amount to $150,000 per track if it finds the infringements were wilful.
In the [Thomas-Rasset] case, the jury awarded $80,000 per song.

Tenenbaum got off easy; on Friday he was ordered to cough up a measly $675,000, a decision he'll appeal. If he loses again, he'll file for bankruptcy. Tenenbaum's lawyer, Harvard Law School professor Charles Neeson, argued that major record labels have not adjusted to the age of the Internet, and that his client was simply "a kid who did what kids do." Now, his second argument wouldn't hold up in court if Tenenbaum had, say, stolen someone's cell phone. But as for the first point about record labels not accepting the new business models necessary to succeed in the digital age: Um, you think?

Here's an example of how smart record labels are operating these days. At some point in the last few years, the independent labels noticed a trend: Of those who were still actually paying for music, very few people were buying CDs anymore, some people were still buying vinyl, and most were downloading music via iTunes or other sources. So the independent labels have started making better-looking packages and higher-quality pressings of vinyl releases, and including coupons for free digital downloads of the full records. Are they nuts? Why on earth would they give irresponsible consumers, the Joel Tenenbaums and Jammie Thomas-Rassets of the world, files that aren't protected, that can be passed on from friend to friend or traded on the Internet?

Because they like making money.

One thing about Joel Tenenbaum: He admits to "swapping" several hundred files over the past ten years, but he also bought more than $100 worth of CDs during that time. Tenenbaum represents a stereotype: someone who swaps songs online, and is—duh—a music lover. Not all of the people like this are rich, so there are only so many CDs—or digital downloads—they can afford. Make no mistake: Music lovers still purchase songs, even full albums. But the Internet has made it easier for enthusiasts to get their hands on music they might not have otherwise bought.

A funny thing can happen when someone listens to a free album and really likes it: That person may become a fan, or what record companies have come to know as "the only thing that keeps us employed." So, wisely, the indie labels realized that maybe they should keep those folks happy.

I imagine the thought process probably went something like this: If they're willing to buy vinyl, let's reward them with a free digital download, so they can also listen to the record on their iPods. They may decide to share these files, but let's be rational: At worst, there's nothing we can do about it; at best, it's free advertising. Someone who might have never heard this record may become—what's that term again?—oh, yes, a fan. Or even someone who goes to live shows, buys merchandise, and coughs up for future records.

Now, I'm not suggesting that the major labels revert to selling only vinyl and offering free digital downloads. These are just some ways smart companies have adapted to the new way music is consumed, instead of fighting it. And to be fair, Nonesuch Records, which is owned by Warner, offered a free CD—forget the download—with the vinyl package for Wilco's latest record. Nonesuch, however, is a rare breed: a label with independent spirit and artists that also has major-label backing.

In general, the major labels are afraid of digital files—look at how long it took them to remove DRM (digital-rights management, or copy-protection coding) from their iTunes offerings. The Big Four have all been loath to adapt to the Internet and develop lucrative business plans, though file-sharing and the Web have been popular for well over a decade now.

What's a multi-billion dollar industry to do? Well, for starters, it could develop a new way of thinking about file-sharing and copy protection, as the indie labels have. Or it could sue the pants off some kid who is just about as guilty as most of us. After all, they already succeeded in getting millions out of a single mom, right? It's a Pyrrhic victory at best—they're unlikely to collect, and now they're facing a public backlash.

Kind reader, I implore you to send the brain trust of the Big Four a message and make August "Ban Major Record Labels Month." Is there a record you really want to buy that's being released on a major label in the next four weeks? Wait until September to buy it. I bet you can stream it for free from the band's Web site or MySpace page. Or just suck it up for the next 29 days. And if you bought music this weekend, just extend the ban until September 2.

Let's also make August "Support the Indies" Month. I recognize not everyone is into indie rock, rap, jazz, or electronic music, but I promise you there's some really great stuff out there. Web sites like OtherMusic.com (which is also a brick-and-mortar record shop in New York City), Insound.com, eMusic.com, and iTunes itself all offer a wide variety of independent music. And Web sites like Bandcamp.com allow artists to sell music directly—and you can stream an entire song or album before you buy it, as many times as you want. Some of the downloads are even free!

Hopefully, if enough people ban the major labels, it will offset the profit (er, compensation) these companies make from the Joel Tenenbaums of the world. This may sound cruel—after all, major label employees want to pay their bills just like the rest of us—but it's actually just tough love. A message sent by the public in the form of a horrid August might finally make these companies realize the error of their ways, and that instead of suing so-called criminals, they'd do better to focus on improving their business plan for the Internet era. After all, when cassettes were popular, people shared songs all the time, but you never really heard about lawsuits—dual-cassette deck boomboxes and mix-tapes were the rage. Companies tend to not sue their customer bases when things are going well.

Although the details are still sketchy, Apple is working on a project involving the Big Four called "Cocktail," which is basically a plan to change and improve the way major labels sell music on the Web. Even if it doesn't work, it's a step in the right direction.

I'll close with this challenge to the Big Four: Forgive the "debt" owed by Ms. Thomas-Rasset and Mr. Tenenbaum, publicly apologize for pursuing litigation against the people you should be wooing instead of suing, and I'll write a column imploring people to buy your records because, for once in the last decade, you did the right thing.

Your friend,

Alex

Improvised Title, Part One

2009-08-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

In the savage state every family owns a shelter as good as the best, and sufficient for its coarser and simpler wants; but I think that I speak within bounds when I say that, though the birds of the air have their nests, and the foxes their holes, and the savages their wigwams, in modern civilized society not more than one half the families own a shelter. In the large towns and cities, where civilization especially prevails, the number of those who own a shelter is a very small fraction of the whole. The rest pay an annual tax for this outside garment of all, become indispensable summer and winter, which would buy a village of Indian wigwams, but now helps to keep them poor as long as they live. I do not mean to insist here on the disadvantage of hiring compared with owning, but it is evident that the savage owns his shelter because it costs so little, while the civilized man hires his commonly because he cannot afford to own it; nor can he, in the long run, any better afford to hire. But, answers one, by merely paying this tax, the poor civilized man secures an abode which is a palace compared with the savage's. An annual rent of from twenty-five to a hundred dollars (these are the country rates) entitles him to the benefit of the improvements of centuries, spacious apartments, clean paint and paper, Rumford fireplace, back plastering, Venetian blinds, copper pump, spring lock, a commodious cellar, and many other things. But how happens it that he who is said to enjoy these things is so commonly a poor civilized man, while the savage, who has them not, is rich as a savage? If it is asserted that civilization is a real advance in the condition of man - and I think that it is, though only the wise improve their advantages - it must be shown that it has produced better dwellings without making them more costly; and the cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run. An average house in this neighborhood costs perhaps eight hundred dollars, and to lay up this sum will take from ten to fifteen years of the laborer's life, even if he is not encumbered with a family - estimating the pecuniary value of every man's labor at one dollar a day, for if some receive more, others receive less; - so that he must have spent more than half his life commonly before his wigwam will be earned. If we suppose him to pay a rent instead, this is but a doubtful choice of evils. Would the savage have been wise to exchange his wigwam for a palace on these terms?

- Walden "Economy"
Henry David Thoreau

And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him. As I understand it, that was a valid objection urged by Momus against the house which Minerva made, that she "had not made it movable, by which means a bad neighborhood might be avoided"; and it may still be urged, for our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed in them; and the bad neighborhood to be avoided is our own scurvy selves. I know one or two families, at least, in this town, who, for nearly a generation, have been wishing to sell their houses in the outskirts and move into the village, but have not been able to accomplish it, and only death will set them free.

Granted that the majority are able at last either to own or hire the modern house with all its improvements. While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. It has created palaces, but it was not so easy to create noblemen and kings. And if the civilized man's pursuits are no worthier than the savage's, if he is employed the greater part of his life in obtaining gross necessaries and comforts merely, why should he have a better dwelling than the former?

- Walden "Economy"
Henry David Thoreau

AT A CERTAIN season of our life we are accustomed to consider every spot as the possible site of a house. I have thus surveyed the country on every side within a dozen miles of where I live. In imagination I have bought all the farms in succession, for all were to be bought, and I knew their price. I walked over each farmer's premises, tasted his wild apples, discoursed on husbandry with him, took his farm at his price, at any price, mortgaging it to him in my mind; even put a higher price on it - took everything but a deed of it - took his word for his deed, for I dearly love to talk - cultivated it, and him too to some extent, I trust, and withdrew when I had enjoyed it long enough, leaving him to carry it on. This experience entitled me to be regarded as a sort of real-estate broker by my friends. Wherever I sat, there I might live, and the landscape radiated from me accordingly. What is a house but a sedes, a seat? - better if a country seat. I discovered many a site for a house not likely to be soon improved, which some might have thought too far from the village, but to my eyes the village was too far from it. Well, there I might live, I said; and there I did live, for an hour, a summer and a winter life; saw how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring come in. The future inhabitants of this region, wherever they may place their houses, may be sure that they have been anticipated. An afternoon sufficed to lay out the land into orchard, wood-lot, and pasture, and to decide what fine oaks or pines should be left to stand before the door, and whence each blasted tree could be seen to the best advantage; and then I let it lie, fallow, perchance, for a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.

"I am monarch of all I survey,
My right there is none to dispute."

- Walden "Where I Lived, And What I Lived For"
Henry David Thoreau

Sure, this is random and not even his best but I felt like sharing. I hope it fucks with your mind! My favorite is the last excerpt. I will have to post more but I suspect people don't want to read that much. Another post is coming up that might have something to do with this.

Yo' friend,
Alex

Beautiful, huh?

2009-07-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Before our white brothers came to civilize us we had no jails. Therefore we had no criminals. You can’t have criminals without a jail. We had no locks or keys, and so we had no thieves. If a man was so poor that he had no horse, tipi or blanket, someone gave him these things. We were too uncivilized to set much value on personal belongings. We wanted to have things only in order to give them away. We had no money, and therefore a man’s worth couldn’t be measured by it. We had no written law, no attorney or politicians, therefore we couldn’t cheat. We were in a really bad way before the white man came, and I don’t know how we managed to get along without the basic things which, we are told, are absolutely necessary to make a civilized society.

-- Lakota Sage Lame Deer (from John Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions)

I'm telling you, this is the way to go; I hope I'm up to the challenge. Though I believe it will be easier than I have imagined it.

I know this guy might not want the attention but he's an inspiration just as Christopher McCandless is.

Your friend,
Alex

Oho!

2009-07-21T13:26:00.001-07:00

Hello, I am Zeno.

2009-07-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

Have we learned anything from such films as Terminator and Blade Runner?

It seems absolutely nothing. I mean, come on.
This story comes from this article talking about the robot in the following video:

"One of Hanson’s latest projects is called Zeno. Zeno is an anime style robot designed for entertainment and toy sales. He can walk, dance, and interact with others. His programming adopts the developments from previous Hanson projects: he adapts in conversation, maintains eye contact, and has limited learning. As part of his purpose as merchandise, he even comes with a great background story that could be included in literature, movies, or other media. You see, Zeno is the hero of the Singularity.

That’s right, in a meta-physical field day of fact and fiction, Zeno’s backstory details how he starts off as a toy in present day. By 2029 (Kurzweil fans will recognize the date), Zeno develops a greater intelligence and starts to question his existence. After the requisite government kidnapping and installation in a secret robot academy, Zeno meets new friends and helps save humanity and robots alike. Thus Zeno is the hero of both mankind and robokind. Well, it’s cute, but like so many things from Hanson Robotics, it’s a little weird. I mean you’re playing with a toy that claims it will one day develop from a toy into a sentient being. That has to make you a little cautious. 'Sure Zeno, you can have some more batteries, just remember me when the revolution comes.' "

Hero of humanity my ass.

Your friend,
Alex

Homework in July is not as fun as Christmas is July.

2009-07-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm done Harry Potter, I promised myself that I would start on some summer projects for school. This includes some summer reading and knowing a bit about American history so you don't look like a moron when you step into the class. I don't think that's too much to do. I was going to read a lot this summer anyway, now I just have to read other people's books. Though I'm not complaining as it is The Great Gatsby and The Lord of Flies.

If I had an underline option,
I would use it.
Alas,
I do not.

You see, I excel at this literature stuff. (Ha)

I think history is pretty important but, as I have a paper to write why it is, I will save you, my internet friends, the story until a later time.

People are coming over tomorrow - which rarely ever happens on my accord - to play Mario Kart, swim, and spend the night. I tell you, what better time can there be?

Your friend,
Alex

And, I'mma post it here too.

2009-07-17T08:34:00.001-07:00

Harry Potter>Twilight

Your friend,
Alex

Dum..dum dum...

2009-07-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

Excellent movie. I'd definitely have to agree with Kyle: I'd much rather live in the world of Harry Potter than the world of Twilight. Vampires don't sparkle!

Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass, they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.

- William Penn, More Fruits of Solitude

Your friend,
Alex

I've just finished the sixth Harry Potter book

2009-07-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

For the third time in my live, and, I'm sure, certainly not to be the last. I now have to finish reading the seventh book again after seeing the movie tomorrow.

I'm usually depressed about the fact that nothing good will ever be written in my lifetime. At least compared to that of the classics. I think, now that I've plunged a little more into literature, I can happily say that I have spotted a series that will be remembered through the ages, not only as a kid's bedtime tale (if you can call a 2000+ pages that), but as a great work of art testifying to Love. Countless authors did it beforehand, for generation after generation, each writing to the people of their own age, but I think that the modern reader can truly relate to this as they never did to Dante. And that perhaps may be the reason of my theory. Does that make any sense?

Seriously I've never realized it, but there is a lot more literary merit in the series (especially towards the end of it) than I thought to give the books before. Alright, I think I'm babbling now.

Your friend,
Alex

Garlic bread. Texas Toast.

2009-07-06T19:47:00.000-07:00

So, here's some things I've been getting into over the summer:
1. Books, which include but are not limited too:
a. Harry Potter (In prelude to the sixth Harry Potter movie coming up)
b. Robert Frost poetry
c. Walden by Henry Thoreau
2. Nature (which is highlighted by the two above sub-subjects)
3. Staying clear from most everyone that has irked me over the school year.

And I'd say that's about it, which is very depressing from a teenager's point of view, though uplifting to me. Ha! I'm kidding, I'm still a teenager, however regrettably I may feel about that. Anyway, if anyone's not seen Into The Wild, go see it! That's mostly how I got this huge surge into a bunch of this Nature stuff. I'm reading some of Walden right now and, I tell you, Thoreau really changed the way more about what I thought not only about American society but that of the entire "civilized" human race. Some say Swing music was the first Punk music, and I would agree with that but, Philosophers like Thoreau very well might have been the first of the punks.

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
— Chris McCandless, Into The Wild

Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.
- Henry David Thoreau

Emily Dickinson, "Parting"

My life closed twice before its close;
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event to me

So huge, so hopeless to conceive,
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell.

- Emily Dickinson, "Parting"

One of my wishes is that those dark trees,
So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,
Were not, as 'twere, the merest mask of gloom,
But stretched away unto the edge of doom.

I should not be withheld but that some day
Into their vastness I should steal away,
Fearless of ever finding open land,
Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand.

I do not see why I should e'er turn back,
Or those should not set forth upon my track
To overtake me, who should miss me here
And long to know if still I held them dear.

They would not find me changed from him they knew-
Only more sure of all I thought was true
- Robert Frost, "Into My Own"

I'll have to give you more of Thoreau later because what I've shown of him is not even close to what I was talking about. I have to give credit to Jimmy for the book I found on the shelf above his toilet. I found that poem by Emily Dickinson from that book while peeing on his birthday. I'd like to think the poem by Robert Frost describes me to a tee.

Your friend,
Alex

What to me is your Fourth of July?

2009-07-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will unite with you to honor their memory....

...Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?

Would to God, both for your sakes and ours, that an affirmative answer could be truthfully returned to these questions! Then would my task be light, and my burden easy and delightful. For who is there so cold, that a nation's sympathy could not warm him? Who so obdurate and dead to the claims of gratitude, that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits? Who so stolid and selfish, that would not give his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's jubilee, when the chains of servitude had been torn from his limbs? I am not that man. In a case like that, the dumb might eloquently speak, and the "lame man leap as an hart."

But such is not the state of the case. I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrevocable ruin! I can to-day take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people!

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yea! we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there, they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth."

Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, to-day, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day, "may my right hand forget her cunning, and may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!" To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme, would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world. My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America.is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery the great sin and shame of America! "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just.

But I fancy I hear some one of my audience say, "It is just in this circumstance that you and your brother abolitionists fail to make a favorable impression on the public mind. Would you argue more, an denounce less; would you persuade more, and rebuke less; your cause would be much more likely to succeed." But, I submit, where all is plain there is nothing to be argued. What point in the anti-slavery creed would you have me argue? On what branch of the subject do the people of this country need light? Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man? That point is conceded already. Nobody doubts it. The slaveholders themselves acknowledge it in the enactment of laws for their government. They acknowledge it when they punish disobedience on the part of the slave. There are seventy-two crimes in the State of Virginia which, if committed by a black man (no matter how ignorant he be), subject him to the punishment of death; while only two of the same crimes will subject a white man to the like punishment. What is this but the acknowledgment that the slave is a moral, intellectual, and responsible being? The manhood of the slave is conceded. It is admitted in the fact that Southern statute books are covered with enactments forbidding, under severe fines and penalties, the teaching of the slave to read or to write. When you can point to any such laws in reference to the beasts of the field, then I may consent to argue the manhood of the slave. When the dogs in your streets, when the fowls of the air, when the cattle on your hills, when the fish of the sea, and the reptiles that crawl, shall be unable to distinguish the slave from a brute, then will I argue with you that the slave is a man!

For the present, it is enough to affirm the equal manhood of the Negro race. Is it not astonishing that, while we are ploughing, planting, and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, silver and gold; that, while we are reading, writing and ciphering, acting as clerks, merchants and secretaries, having among us lawyers, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators and teachers; that, while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hill-side, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the Christian's God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men!

Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? that he is the rightful owner of his own body? You have already declared it. Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery? Is that a question for Republicans? Is it to be settled by the rules of logic and argumentation, as a matter beset with great difficulty, involving a doubtful application of the principle of justice, hard to be understood? How should I look to-day, in the presence of Amercans, dividing, and subdividing a discourse, to show that men have a natural right to freedom? speaking of it relatively and positively, negatively and affirmatively. To do so, would be to make myself ridiculous, and to offer an insult to your understanding. There is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven that does not know that slavery is wrong for him.

What, am I to argue that it is wrong to make men brutes, to rob them of their liberty, to work them without wages, to keep them ignorant of their relations to their fellow men, to beat them with sticks, to flay their flesh with the lash, to load their limbs with irons, to hunt them with dogs, to sell them at auction, to sunder their families, to knock out their teeth, to burn their flesh, to starve them into obedience and submission to their mastcrs? Must I argue that a system thus marked with blood, and stained with pollution, is wrong? No! I will not. I have better employment for my time and strength than such arguments would imply.

What, then, remains to be argued? Is it that slavery is not divine; that God did not establish it; that our doctors of divinity are mistaken? There is blasphemy in the thought. That which is inhuman, cannot be divine! Who can reason on such a proposition? They that can, may; I cannot. The time for such argument is passed.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would, to-day, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival....

...Allow me to say, in conclusion, notwithstanding the dark picture I have this day presented, of the state of the nation, I do not despair of this country. There are forces in operation which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery. "The arm of the Lord is not shortened," and the doom of slavery is certain. I, therefore, leave off where I began, with hope. While drawing encouragement from "the Declaration of Independence," the great principles it contains, and the genius of American Institutions, my spirit is also cheered by the obvious tendencies of the age. Nations do not now stand in the same relation to each other that they did ages ago. No nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding world and trot round in the same old path of its fathers without interference. The time was when such could be done. Long established customs of hurtful character could formerly fence themselves in, and do their evil work with social impunity. Knowledge was then confined and enjoyed by the privileged few, and the multitude walked on in mental darkness. But a change has now come over the affairs of mankind. Walled cities and empires have become unfashionable. The arm of commerce has borne away the gates of the strong city. Intelligence is penetrating the darkest corners of the globe. It makes its pathway over and under the sea, as well as on the earth. Wind, steam, and lightning are its chartered agents. Oceans no longer divide, but link nations together. From Boston to London is now a holiday excursion. Space is comparatively annihilated. -- Thoughts expressed on one side of the Atlantic are distinctly heard on the other.

The far off and almost fabulous Pacific rolls in grandeur at our feet. The Celestial Empire, the mystery of ages, is being solved. The fiat of the Almighty, "Let there be Light," has not yet spent its force. No abuse, no outrage whether in taste, sport or avarice, can now hide itself from the all-pervading light. The iron shoe, and crippled foot of China must be seen in contrast with nature. Africa must rise and put on her yet unwoven garment. 'Ethiopia, shall, stretch. out her hand unto Ood." In the fervent aspirations of William Lloyd Garrison, I say, and let every heart join in saying it:

God speed the year of jubilee
The wide world o'er!
When from their galling chains set free,
Th' oppress'd shall vilely bend the knee,
And wear the yoke of tyranny
Like brutes no more.
That year will come, and freedom's reign,
To man his plundered rights again
Restore.

God speed the day when human blood
Shall cease to flow!
In every clime be understood,
The claims of human brotherhood,
And each return for evil, good,
Not blow for blow;
That day will come all feuds to end,
And change into a faithful friend
Each foe.

God speed the hour, the glorious hour,
When none on earth
Shall exercise a lordly power,
Nor in a tyrant's presence cower;
But to all manhood's stature tower,
By equal birth!
That hour will come, to each, to all,
And from his Prison-house, to thrall
Go forth.

Until that year, day, hour, arrive,
With head, and heart, and hand I'll strive,
To break the rod, and rend the gyve,
The spoiler of his prey deprive --
So witness Heaven!
And never from my chosen post,
Whate'er the peril or the cost,
Be driven.

-Frederick Douglass

Your friend,
Alex

I'm like a TV show, and thus: Season 2 and Its Premiere:

2009-06-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

'Allo?! Who is zis?
(I think I actually found out why it's so funny when Kyle says that. To Kyle: Is it from Monty Python and the Holy Grail?)

Summer is here and I have a bunch of time to do stuff that includes this. I know premieres are supposed to be a great good deal of surprising and fun, but it is my premiere, you see, and will probably only excite myself.

I was briefly excited yesterday, about what I learned through the internet and my own knowings, after I found out that Goblin Cock is actually not too bad of a band. You see, one of the founders of Goblin Cock is Rob Crow, formally (maybe, I'm not exactly sure) a member of Pinback, a band I actually posted on here some while back and have deep "connections" with. When I heard this, I was really surprised that Crow would be in a heavy metal band but then I actually listened to one of their (Goblin Cock's) songs and it made more sense, though the band's name still did not. I hope you are surprised as I was; follow closely:

The big fuzzy man with the better voice than his companion is Rob Crow. By the way, if you do not already know, this band is probably related to me as Alkaline Trio is to Kyle. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, you probably realize the audacity of the statement I just made.

Now, Goblin Cock, Rob Crow being the same said hairy man:

Now, for a "heavy metal" band, that was pretty damn catchy, wasn't it? I mean, no absolutely crazing guitar, bass, or drums, but.. DAMN. I looked it up, and I think someone called them "stoner metal" and I'm pretty sure I'm okay with that.

Your friend,
Alex

A cover!

2009-05-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

Bomb the Music Industry covering Anti-Flag, "Die For Your Government", (courtesy of Quote Unquote Records):

"D13 4 YR G0V3RNM3NT"

Hahaha, I don't think it's a joke on Anti-Flag but funny nevertheless.

Your long-lost-friend,
Alex

Live a little,

2009-04-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

be a gypsy, get around,
Get your feet up off the ground,
Live a little, get around.

As I've had a lot of spare time from not blogging as much (hardly at all), I've occupied it (my time) by a bunch of (three) DIY projects; a much needed book shelf, a sketchbook made of recycled paper and twine, and a paper wallet (on the account of my ass and the rest of my leg going to sleep whenever I would use my leather wallet). All these cost me a grand total of $0.
Now, people may call me a cheap-o, but there's a fucking depression happening, eh?! And I'm pretty positive that my money is better placed in the hands of a "not-a-corporation".
Speaking of DIY, Kyle has been talking of starting a zine. I love the idea! But I'm not too sure how we would start it and where we would get the diminutive amount of mulah. Any ideas my friends, the great internet and its users?

Your friend,
Alex

School's

2009-04-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

made for a bunch of shit-headed fucks. You have to learn to breath and live knowledge before you can swim in its grasp. Oh God, how I live everyday regretting being born into America.

First post in a long time!

2009-03-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Watch it! It sure inspired me into what I want to do in life.

Your friend,
Alex

2009-03-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

I know these posts can sometimes be irrelevant to those who have no faith or believe they don't, but even the bible, the cornerstone of a theistic faith, is good literature and a stride toward a perfect world celebrated by love. It can be read by those even with no faith. I hope this helps somebody, even if I know not whom.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- Matthew 5:38-48

Even if you don't agree that he was God Incarnate, you have to admit he knew what he was talking about.

Your friend,
Alex

I'm glad, I'm sad.

2009-03-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair" - H. L. Mencken

"Naturally, the common people don't want war...that is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." - Herman Goering, Nazi War Criminal, Hitler's 2nd-in-command

The feeling of coming back from a place with people in general agreement for a better world to one that cares not about their consequences is something that my soul is still trying to conquer; it is a hard thing, however calm my soul pretends to be.

Your friend,
Alex

Am I redundant? Am I repetitive?

2009-03-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Good.

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. - Psalm 118: 6, 8-9

The zipper displaces the button and a man lacks just that much time to think while dressing at dawn, a philosophical hour, and thus a melancholy hour. - Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

Your friend,
Alex

Contemplations

2009-03-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

Without turning on the light he imagined how his room would look. His wife stretched on the bed, uncovered and cold, like a body displayed on the lid of a tomb, her eyes fixed to a ceiling by invisible threads of steel, immovable. And in her ears the little Seashells, the thimble radios tamped tight, and an electronic ocean of sound, of music and talk and music and talk coming in, coming in on the shore of her un-sleeping mind. The room was indeed empty. Every night the waves came in and bore her off on their feet tides of sound floating her, wide-eyed, toward morning. There had been no night in the last two years that Mildred had not swum the sea, had not gladly gone down in it for the third time.
...
Her face was like a snow-covered island upon which rain might fall, but it felt no rain; over which clouds might pass their moving shadows, but she felt no shadow. There was only the singing song the thimble-wasps in her tamped-shut ears, and her eyes all glass, and breath going in and out, softly, faintly, in and out her nostrils, and her not caring whether it came or went, went or came.

New book! Fahrenheit 451, provided by my wonderful lover. With some new reading material combined with a purely random (or perhaps carefully planned) incident, I've been led to my favorite past-time, thinking and pondering. If you haven't read or aren't familiar with Fahrenheit 451, do read it. And then (or before if you please) read A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut who explains what the book means to him, a man alive when the book was written. It can all become very depressing...BUT that's not what I wanted to write about.

After I had read those two paragraphs starting this post (and a little more, mind you) I stopped reading and the left the feeling the book left me in my mind. When I was walking home after school I was listening to the iPod. The song ended and the iPod turned off. Instead starting a new song I did something I've never done in years, I put it away and walked. For the first time in possibly my whole life, at that moment, I heard nature by itself. I walked on for a while and could hear no man-made machines - no cars, airplanes (granted, I did hear one after a minute or two), NOTHING except nature and my feet upon the ground. I almost wept, no lie. Just like from the two paragraphs starting this blog, most of my natural life, I've always had those damn earphones in my ears to produce sound for me when a world of nature was given to me (and for free at that!). I don't think I had ever trully enjoyed the gift I had been given until that moment in my life. I hope my move away from civilized and American lifestyle can provide me more of that pure ecstasy my soul now forever craves. That which I - we - have been given but have never in this generation really trully appreciated.

Your friend,
Alex

"There must be some way out of here,"

2009-03-02T18:20:00.001-08:00

Said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.

Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.

Frankly,

2009-02-27T20:20:00.000-08:00

I feel absolutely wonderful about life! I have an absolute amazing lover, as it's Lent I am becoming more religious and spiritual I feel, I just turned 16 yesterday while getting my license today, and I feel I've become more in tuned with my self, my philosophies and readings, and my thoughts everyday. I have a lot to be happy for and I am grateful for it. Thank you all who have given me chances in life. Thank you to the one who has given me months and months of love, happiness, and influence (I love you).

After reading the sixth chapter of Watchman, I was met with a quote that I've seen before but I have forgotten. The chapter in itself is very depressing but the quote can be uplifting and a admonishment of sorts. If you have not read the graphic novel, read it. It is absolutely crazy and should be considered a classic if it's not already.

Battle not
with monsters,
lest ye become
a monster,

and if you gaze
into the abyss,
the abyss gazes
also into you.

-Friedrick Wilhelm Nietzsche

We must be careful.

Your friend,
Alex

Fat Tuesday!

2009-02-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

Quotes from my current reading(s):

"Heard a joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says 'Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.' Man bursts into tears. Says 'But doctor I am Pagliacci.' Good joke. Everyone laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains." - Watchman by Alan Moore

Sometimes to prop a roof or a ceiling up
you'll see the corbel sculpted like a man
bearing the weight, knees crushed against his chest,
Begetting agony in those who see-
what's nto real makes you feel really oppressed-
so I saw them, when I looked carefully.
According to the heaviness in fact
they were hunched over more or less by what they bore,
and those who showed most patience in the act
Seemed to say, weeping, "I can bear no more."- Dante's Purgatory, Canto Ten (130-139)

Your friend,
Alex

Give me a rallying cry, Give me one good reason to die.

2009-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love "def" poetry. I saw this somewhere ten minutes ago and I thought I might share it with you. 21st Century Philosophy.

Your friend,
Alex

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2009-02-21T21:15:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching the movie again after I read the short story it's based on by Fitzgerald. Almost made me cry this time and both times it has given me a chance to think of my life in a different time, place, and circumstance.

For what it's worth, it's never to late- or in my case too early -to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it, I hope you make the best of it. I hope you view things that startle you, I hope you see things you've never seen before, I hope you meet people with a different point of view, I hope you live life you're proud of, and if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

Some people are born to sit by a river, some get struck by lightning, some have an ear for music, some are artists, some swim, some know buttons, some know Shakespeare, some are mothers, and some people dance.

Your friend,
Alex

The Day The Earth Stood Still

2009-02-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

And on the precipice we shall change.

A forbidden two in a day!

2009-02-17T17:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I just had to post this after I watched it again. A clip from the new family guy episode Sunday:

So freaking hilarious.

Also, I also found another album that was released recently on Quote Unquote Records.

The song that I really liked from the album Neon Creeps (by the artist O Pioneers!!!) was "Saved By The Bell was a Super Good Show".

"Saved By The Bell was a Super Good Show" - O Pioneers!!!

This album is free for those who are interested. Support artists like these, especially if you like the music. Give it a try!

Your friend,
Alex

ZOMG!

2009-02-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, this post is that important to break what I said I was going to do! More important than Abraham Lincoln's birthday? Probably not. Better than the average life of Alex and his doings? Yes!

On the 15th of Sunday, Bomb The Music Industry, a critically acclaimed (ha, that's a joke) punk band loved by a lot and by me, released there 5th (I think?) album entitled Scrambles into the world. You know what this means! MP3 courtesy of Quote Unquote Records.

$2,400 - Bomb The Music Industry

Hmmm, I can't even find the words for this album. I'm pretty sure these qualifications will tell whether you would like this album:

You like free music.
You like punk music.
You like the things that come with punk (awesome, non-glamor, candor, ect.)

Hell, I'm not even sure what in the hell is punk but I'm damn sure this is a damn good album. I could be over reacting quite a bit but I tell you this, I'm buying this album for 10 dollars instead of downloading it for free. Yes, cheapskate Alex would do that to support a band that lives of the generosity of others. In fact, if you would like to do the same, here is the link to Asian Man Records were I will buy it (and probably many others now that I am having a good look at their bands and CDs). Mmm, music. The lyrics for this song are going to be listed below. It is actually a very meaningful song and labels the rest of the album with meaningful..-ness. Check it out!

I know what it looks like, but the ship’s not capsizing. The driver’s just drunk or asleep at the wheel. The map is illegible, we spilled beers all over it. We’re all piss poor heroes, we’re aching to drown in a sea of bad metaphors: trite, overused. Well, I’m sorry I guess talking just makes me confused. Dang dang.

And as a result, conversations don’t start, they sputter and stammer. They spiral like shit trying to go down the drain but keeps spinning ‘cause forces are making it stay and I don’t wanna talk ‘cause you don’t understand. This wasn’t for anyone, I just wanted something that wasn’t prepackaged, that wasn’t preplanned and now my only plan that is damn sure to happen Is slowly decaying on a shelf filled with millionaires saving the future in a sweet fucking press release, gloating on pedestals. You can’t make a change unless you’re there bragging, unless you’re a dick about something that’s pure to you. Something that’s pure to you always gets fucked.

“Google my name, ‘cause kid, I’ve got credentials. My pop’s a big shit and I can get you free long distance. My co-op is awesome, my fixed gear’s ridiculous. Stop smiling, stop frowning, I always thought you’d be different.”

And there’s been talk of leaving for good, but how and to where and what happens when they show up there with friends? Can you afford to leave again?

Your friend,
Alex

Okay, Okay, Here's My Last Post:

2009-02-13T16:49:00.000-08:00

I forgot that yesterday was Abraham Lincoln's birthday and I would have continually hit myself in the head if I did not honor him. I do not think I can not do any justice to the man with my own words so I will leave with the speech he was known for:

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

I end this post with the hope that people may take these words and Lincoln's practices and thoughts to heart. And while he was a great man and one of the best presidents America was fortunate enough to have, he is only one of the few that can be learned from as the world continues to face rough times. Take this and live like the "ancients" did, not as a follower of their party (or an opposer either) but as an American with a dream and a pursuit of happiness for all.

Your friend,
Alex

Dear Viewer,

2009-02-12T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have a strong feeling to discontinue this blog at least for a short while. This whole blogging thing could be complicating things more than I had planned. Hmm, I don't think I will delete the blog for two reasons:
I love the blog name
I could very well start up again
I think there is some good information and links on here

Okay, that was three. Until next time (or tomorrow, if by chance I cry and comeback)!

Your friend,
Alex

I feel I might be obliged to correct my last post.

2009-02-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

After spending the first part of the last two days critically analyzing myself and my last post to the point of craziness due to a comment from a person I care very much for, I feel I need to correct myself. Number one, keep in mind that I am using this blog in many ways, well two that I can think of right now:
1) To spread the word about free information that I think is useful.
2) To keep basically a (public) journal of my thoughts as I progress through an ever changing time in my life and thought process.

So, yes, all that I say on here is what I truly believe and think at the time of that post but the said thought is subject to change and shouldn't really be taken to heart unless you yourself believe it. BUT, if you think differently than I do, tell my your thoughts! I love a good debate and opposite thoughts (because I do not get to hear them directly from the people I am around most of the time). With that disclaimer and introduction, I begin my correction that I feel I need to make:

In my last post, I said "Fuck the American dream!" and that probably wasn't the best choice of words. I think I should have said, "Fuck the (new and faked) American dream!" Does this make it better or right? I have no idea, you tell me. I do not necessarily "condemn" advancement and luxury from work. I was not angry at that but at the modern dream (perhaps not realized) of the need to gain so much money and power so that you may see your co-worker, sibling, rival, parents, or countrymen beneath you. I think, from the history I have learned about America, (either from class, history books, or literature) that the true American dream was to have the ability and right to be happy with your family and to give them the right to do so as well. The early people of this country (after they had wiped out all the native peoples...) sought that they may have an education, food, shelter, and love passed to their children. As an observer of this generation, (though I have limited sight due to living in West Virginia) I see young adults and children not being taught this dream. Now, with over-abundance (from other starving countries) and over-luxury, this dream built up by our forefathers is being crushed by the 100+ dollar shoes of each upcoming generation. A dream of perseverance and hard work has turned into one of laziness, hate, and the dream to out rival your fellow peers by buying the best new things. So, yes, I stand by the revised statement: Fuck the new and faked American dream! This would be a nice time to start a debate. Anyone?

Also, just for a laugh, did anyone watch Jon Stewart a couple of days ago were he makes fun of "Papa Bear" Bill O'Reilly because while he preaches privacy he makes his reporters run after people who deserve just as much privacy? Anyone know what I'm talking about? Ha, it was so funny. I might post it later.

Your friend,
Alex

Fuck the American Dream!

2009-02-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Lazy Bastards

let me ask you a question, yeah i know it's hard to choose
when the revolution comes around will they point the cannon at you?
private property, free economy, public domain don't mean a thing
wash it down with a coke and a crown and fake the american dream

you know things are getting bad when the city's closing schools
they're building more strip-malls and buying more bar-stools
soccer moms, drunk at 28, in the early afternoon
why is it that the american dream is to have nothing to do?

MP3 courtesy of Quote Unquote Records.

"Lazy Bastards" - Let Me Crazy

You know, I just passed my sister watching The Secret Life an American Teenager (or some shit like that) and I just shook my head and walked by. How is it that American society has gone down the shitter when once it was respected and honored? How is it that the use of an apostrophe is being lost? Channel One, a news show dedicated to high school watchers, did a report on the topic and they didn't even seem to care. There is no more respect and honor has been destroyed. American society worships the money its people make. And though I have most everything a American teenager can ask for, I feel disgusted with everyone around me, including myself. I hear from Christians who feel like a new person though they are wasting their work on useless toys to make their body feel joy. Isn't there something wrong with that? America is living in an age of hypocrites.

Fuck the American dream.
Fuck American society.
Fuck what America stands for in this age.

Your friend,
Alex

Evil, suffering, and death will not have the last word.

2009-02-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:
So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.
As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?
When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;
Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

Opposite from this verse Job 7:1-21, I feel pretty wonderful today. Even for those that have no interest in religion, these verses are very well written. And though they are depressing, it is nice to know that we are not alone in the world with our troubles. Sorry for probably depressing you but in a light this could be uplifting. You just have to look at it a little harder.

Your friend,
Alex

But seriously, stop comparing me to Dick.

2009-02-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Why Are You Such a Dick? - Audio Tape

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Funny Political News
Joke of the Day

Hmm, stupid dick, stupid dick. Listen, Jon Stewart, though in a funny matter, was absolutely right about everything in this video. I cannot extract anything else besides what he said. Look up two things, both very real, if you would like to know my thoughts. First is a definite article on the topic of blowback. Second, research history to see what happens when:
1) People don't want to be occupied and patrolled.
2) People die for reasons that only pertain to one type of group.
3) People die because they are being controlled by aristocrat-type peoples (examples: US Revolution, French Revolution, Cuban Revolution, ect., ect., for there are many cases after and before even our revolution).

Research! History repeats itself, especially the bad parts! Educate yourself!

Your friend,
Alex

It was an icy breath of death; It was rolling down low across the land to clutch at her.

2009-02-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

New book (actually new from Sunday): "Collected Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald"

The quote above is from the story The Ice Palace from the book. I don't know if anybody reading this reads but, if you do, read it! You know, ever since I've been reading like I have, I have developed many different philosophies to live by. And though they've all pretty much been taken from classic literature, no one around me really has the same philosophy of any sort (except a select few people). That basically sums up the people from my area though; hicks!

Actually, I've just recently realized something about my area and myself. I do not have really any problems with "rednecks" but only with "hicks". Rednecks, hillbillies, or whatever you want to call them truly are strong people. They produce most of the country's foods and services and hardly complain about it (eh, okay, that's probably not true; a lot of people complain about their line of work). They are actually the least (American) commercial people I've ever seen and actually, even in this age, make their kids go outside to play and for that, I send my respect to the redneck population.

Hicks are another story. Of course. Something must have happened in this "evolution" and put the stupid, ignorant part on the "hick". Every hick I've seen picks on people, are racist bastards, are country singers, can't think for themselves, and/or tend to rely on dirt bikes and deer hunting though they're really just excited to be holding a gun that can shoot through a elephant, much less a deer. Hicks, do me a favor, keep mating with your family members and keep growing towards the monkeys you came from.

I've got new music found just today! MP3 courtesy of Fingertips.

"Shotgun Wedding" - Blue Horns
If you, the reader, have ever listened to The Born Ruffians, this band reminds me of them a lot. What makes them better and sets them apart is that they released their album "Blue Horns" completely by themselves (from what I know) and they aren't known widely (again, from what I know). Anyway, if you would like to find yourself in a very delightful mood by the time you're done listening to a track, listen to this. If not, then, well, don't. But, at the least, try it for you can't go wrong with free.

Man, I use a lot of commas (and in probably the wrong places)! I wish I had a English teacher again.

You're friend,
Alex

Education and Stupidity (Part II)

2009-02-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

Now, after you have thought about the previously posted quotes for a while, I'm presenting my plans for a better education, generation, and future for all of the world! *ahem*

1. Go to School!
While this is easy for the US and like countries because kids are forced to attend school, this can be a general problem for those who aren't. For those who this problem may concern:

2. Build a School!
This can either be taken literally or in a different light. If you, as a learner, do not have a good school, try to set one up. School can not only serve as a place for better learning but also a very good community. If the said school, focuses only on sports and whoring, burn it down! (WARNING: Imprisonment may follow due to "arson") But seriously, you make up the community in the school, so try to make it better. So many smart people have come from schools with a lot of programs to offer their students while many not smart people have attended the opposite type of school.

3. Realize How Important Education Is!
As most teachers will tell you, this education and your learning will be the basis for your job that you'll be working for the next 50 years, so make it good. Education is much more important than a fucking job and making a corrupt society even more corrupt though, but more on that later.

4. Dedicate Yourself!
There is a major difference between those who get straight A's and those who dedicate their selves and really know the subject. Test grades only effect your job (probably) in your life, not your life itself. Dedicating and focusing on your education not only gets you good grades but helps you study, remember things, and really works your brain into good habit. Study with yourself, not your damn cellphone/TV!

5. Realize How Much You Don't Know!
This is the sticker and, in effect, this can accomplish many things. It can show you how much there is to learn and make you want to learn more. It can teach you not to be ignorant! It can teach the most important next step.

6. Learn to Educate Yourself!
As I said, this probably the most important and crucial step for many things: yourself, your community, your generation, your country, your world, and the future generations just to name a few. School is designed to get you ready for a job. School is designed to teach you to obey orders. School is designed to teach you what most of the teachers working there failed to realize and are trying teach you; to think for yourself.

I don't know what it is about the United States of America but I always have a bone to pick with it. To me, there is something wrong that a person has to work 50 years of his life without stopping only to get the "biggest" and "best" thing. When did our country of hard work and enjoying true life turn into one of commercialism? Anyways (and I'm getting off subject I think), self-education can help many problems the US is having. Self-education teaches one to think for them self and not that of the "employer". It teaches one the "why things are happening", not only the "what things are happening". The generation of schools in America today are only good for one thing, teaching one to self-educate them self. Everything else learned in school is for someone other than you're well being. This is the way to Think and get out of the habit of pleasing your employer and those around you. This is the way to make the world a better place; education and self-education is the key!

Hmmm, here is my many thoughts all jumbled down in a mess of things. Do expect more on this subject - because I hate ignorance - later.

Your friend,
Alex

Education and Stupidity

2009-02-03T16:21:00.000-08:00

I leave you with these quotes to ponder for a long time. I will possibly go more in depth in the terms that they relate to our life as a country/world later. For, all these are related to my thoughts (probably created from the teachings of the quoter) and my life.

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school."
-- Albert Einstein

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
-- Mark Twain

"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."
-- Jim Rohn

"An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life."
-- Source Unknown

"The best teacher is the one who suggests rather than dogmatizes, and inspires his listener with the wish to teach himself."
-- Edward Bulwer-Lytton

"Education would be so much more effective if its purpose were to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they don't know, and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it."
-- Sir William Haley

"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think."
-- Socrates

From what I've heard, Israel has attacked Gaza again due to a couple of dunderheads putting their country in danger again. With that, I leave you this, from this very talented person, illustrating the attack on Gaza by Israel.

Your friend,
Alex

Super Bowl Coverage!

2009-02-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

Fact: 71,101 people attended the Super Bowl
Fact: The lowest price for a Super Bowl ticket I could find was somewhere around 700 dollars.
Fact: Just from people attending alone, more than 50,000,000 million dollars were made.
Fact: More than 90 million people viewed the Super Bowl.
Fact: All those people watched about 58 advertisements that game.
Fact: 30 seconds of advertisement time cost 3 million dollars.
Fact: The amount of money made of just advertisements was 174 million dollars.
Fact: The average price for a professional football player I found was 2.5 million dollars.
Fact: Whether or not you believe the above fact, in 2008 the Steelers team's median salary was 1,001,921 dollars and a total of 128,815,061 dollars.

Fact: An average heart surgeon can make 284,340 dollars and high-end salary of 400,050 dollars.
Fact: The national debt of the United States at 8:22 PM was 10,642,417,735,141.70 dollars.
Fact: In Asian, African, and Latin American countries, over 500 million are living in absolute poverty. It is estimated that over 800 million people suffer from hunger in the world.
Fact: Every year 15 million children die of hunger.
Fact: Over 1.3 billion people live on less than one dollar a day.
Fact: Over 3 billion people struggle to live on less than three dollars a day.

Question: What is America's priorities?

Your friend,
Alex

We go to sleep, We wake up.

2009-01-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I had not posted a blog yesterday and I probably won't Sunday due to my family in PA and the Superbowl (damn Superbowl!). Therefore, I will post a short one today and possibly tomorrow. Now, before I follow through with this post, let me explain why I am posting this and clarify some things.

When I started this blog, I think I explained my feelings pretty well about what I wanted to with this blog. I said this can be a very important thing to communicate with people especially that you don't know. This blog, though, is my revolution, and there are many. I think the reason I wanted to do this blog was not to post news article after news article and let that be the blog. I think I wanted to show the world my way of thinking. Er, that was probably not what I wanted to say... Let's get this straight, I'm not posting a diary. That would show you, the reader, my way of thinking. I instead wanted to show the world what gets me hooked and drawn and drives me to do things. I think that, no matter what it is, if something drives you to a point that it becomes a passion to do something, it is a revolution of your kind. Hopefully this passion drives you to do the right thing, especially when other people are concerned (and they always are). So, when I post things about books one day, music the other, and news on a different day, I'm not changing to and fro from what I wanted to do. This is exactly what I wanted to do. Even if I convince one reader that, "You know what, I get what he says!" or "Well, maybe I can try to do [whatever].", I have succeeded. And since a lot of my influences come from many different sources, this is the one I received this idea from:
Luke 15: 4-7

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

So, there you go, just some clearing up I felt needed to go around. Thus, the part that I was going to post until I got carried away:

Has anyone seen the movie "Special" with Michael Rapaport as the lead actor? It's a purely wonderful movie. Not only is it a thought provoking/uplifting/downer movie, it is also very funny (if you've ever seen the "War at Home" with him as another main character, you'll know what I'm talking about). Anyway, continuing with the topic of the second paragraph, this is one of those movies that continued to influence me and it seemed to wrap up my ideals pretty good. Basically, Les, the main character, is thought of as "sick" and he just seems very depressed. He is looked down by the true shit of the world, people who feel they have to deign to talk to you. He starts to take medicine and after a while he begins to think he is a superhero and, though everybody is not convinced, he finally feels that he is part of the almighty. With this feeling he can accomplish anything and is invincible. ...and that's all I'm going to tell you. At the end of the movie, the feeling I was left with was similar to the one once I started reading Teddy by J.D. Salinger. Anybody who has not read that story, read it! It shows off the author's amazing talent to write stories and really pushed me to believe that I can get away from this place and move to Africa or any other country. Here is the link to the full text of the story if you do not have the book "Nine Stories". This is not Salinger's only masterpiece in the book, so I would try to look for the book and have a pleasure reading it. Hell, I'll even let you borrow it. The best are, I think, The Laughing Man and A Perfect Day For Bananafish. Oh! And here is the link to the movie, "Special". Just keep it on the down low that I let you watch it for free... And, with that, I leave you with a brilliant quote from the movie (that might give it away, so read with caution):

"I'm not looking forward to returning to my own life but, the truth is, with so many billions and billions of people on the planet, most of us can't be unique or important in any meaningful way. We go to sleep, we wake up, we go to work, we eat, we spend times with friends, we watch TV, maybe we even fall in love. But we don't have any magical powers and we don't have any great battles to fight, no evil forces to defeat, and no mysterious men in suits chasing after us, but just that reality. And believing anything else is just - well, believing in anything else is just crazy, isn't it?"

Your friend,
Alex

Do vegetarians have better sex?

2009-01-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

Well, hello there! Even though this is still my break, I decided to report some stuff, though I found mostly funny things today. One part is on Obama, of course, for I feel I must keep up on his doings. Another part is pretty much on the ignorance of people, especially those who follow without questioning but what else is new? I will get the non-funny stuff out of the way first.

First and foremost, Obama News: A couple days ago, I heard Citicorp, a bank that also is going bankrupt, requested 50 million dollars to buy (or upgrade) a plane. 50 million dollars of the taxpayer's money! For a plane! Now they have requested 40 billion dollars to "get through the latest slump of the economy". And guess what happened? Obama put his foot down and 40 billion of the taxpayers' money is saved. Kudos, Obama! Though this could form some irony in the future when he spends that and more money on a stimulus package but we will just have to see how this plays out.

Does anyone know about the "Che" movie that is supposed to come out soon? Well, the main actor who is portraying Che is walking out becuase he just learned the facts of who Che is and what he did. Alright, two things on this subject. Firstly, what compelled Hollywood and basically every commercial business aimed at a "counterculture" of sorts to put this guy on a pedestal? Sure, he led a revolution against corrupt practices (imperialism and capitalism to name a few) of many countries, including the US. But he did so, I think and so do many others, in a wrong way. He killed many, many people and that's usually not the best way to get your message across. He is a hero to the "revolutionary idea", if I can call it that, not a hero though. Hollywood is just as corrupt if they tend to put Che in this light as is the commercialization of companies (that display his face everywhere to young teenagers at that) that Che himself despised.

Still on the topic of history: Bill O'Reilly (that bastard) and Jessica Alba duel in the topic of history! It is always very funny when Bill O'Reilly gets taught a lesson in the things he should know the best. What usually happens though, is that he gets completely pissed off, goes off the wall, blames whatever it is they are arguing about on the person who's winning, and continues by cutting sections out of his show that he doesn't want seen. Anyway, this who "debate" started when Alba told a Fox reporter that O'Reilly came off as "kind of an a-hole". Papa'Reilly did not like that and "retaliated by calling her a “pinhead” for telling a reporter to “be Sweden about it,” assuming she meant Switzerland." Here is what Alba said in her blog on MySpace: “I want to clear some things up that have been bothering me lately. Last week, Mr. Bill O'Reilly and some really classy sites (i.e.TMZ) insinuated I was dumb by claiming Sweden was a neutral country. I appreciate the fact that he is a news anchor and that gossip sites are inundated with intelligent reporting, but seriously people... it's so sad to me that you think the only neutral country during WWII was Switzerland.”
Ha! She was right too! Though Switzerland was neutral in WWII, Sweden followed shortly behind and became neutral as well. Oh boy, you go guuurlfriend. *cough*

Along with that piece of hilarious news, I found two more. The first (or second) being this link. Basically (and here's the story), PETA wanted to display this ad in the Superbowl. The video, if you can't see it, simply and provocatively states that it is a proven fact that "vegetarians have better sex." Along with that simple message, comes a bunch of scantly clad ladies basically rubbing up and taking baths with vegetables. Ha! NBC won't air it though, for it "depicts a level of sexuality exceeding our standards." Exceeding a level of sexuality that shouldn't be showed on TV? Yes. Exceeding a level of sexuality that is showed on TV? No. I'm pretty sure this doesn't come close. I end with this question: Do vegetarians have better sex? Anybody care to answer?

The last piece will, alas, only be a link because it's very funny by itself and does not need any other preparation other than it comes from Cracked.
Lost In Translation: 20 Baffling Foreign Movie Posters

I was going to post an artist but I will safe that for later.

Your friend,
Alex

Ubuntu and music!

2009-01-27T17:17:00.000-08:00

Due to the bad weather, I had no school to attend today...nor do I for tomorrow for that matter. During my school off days, I find that I like to do things for myself and take a break. Therefore, since gathering information and putting it down into a presentation-like formation can get tedious after a while, no new news today! I will though present information that I already know about so that your time might not be wasted for viewing this post.

I am currently trying to install Ubuntu onto my computer. I already know how to do it, but I am also trying to dual boot it with Windows as well. Though I have not exactly worked at it yet, I found this really helpful manual of sorts for those who need help possibly installing it. For those who have no idea what Ubuntu is, I will get to that in a second. The link for the manual is posted here.

Now, for those who have no idea what I am talking about: Ubuntu is an easier, more graphical form of Linux to put it simply. Linux is a free OS. An OS is like Windows or the Mac OS. It provides an interface for all of your computing needs. What tends to happen is these well known OS's distribute their OS's for a lot of money. Ubuntu provides mostly the same thing but it is open source or free. Open source software is made by a community of people to say the least. Because of that, the said open source program is made to the general community's needs! That's the magic of non-corporation things! So, if your computer just crashed or you just made a computer without and OS, try Ubuntu. A link to download and for more information is to the side of this post. -->

Okay, that's basically my geek portion for the day. I had a peice software that I was going to recommend to my graphically inclined viewers (how many viewers do I have anyway?) but I decided I would try it out first and premiere it with something that I created. If you would like to check it out anyway without my review and link, I posted the article two posts ago, I think. The program is entitled Pencil 2d, from the makers of Blender 3d, another open source program!

Mmm, besides that tech stuff, I have a free tune for you. MP3 courtesy of Download.com
"While You Were Sleeping" - Elvis Perkins
I actually found a newer song of Elvis Perkins off of his new album, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, today before this tune. Both are really pretty good but I think this one tops it. It is less jumpy and poppy as the other one but that is certainly okay in my book. This song is off Elvis Perkins older album, Ash Wednesday. Though the vocals and the lone guitar and occasional bass drum set up a nice folk feel, the full "shingding" of instruments coming in at around 1:58 does the song and singer justice. Unlike his other song I found today, "While You Were Sleeping" has nice, easy to understand and relate to lyrics while being easy to pickup as the song goes along (while you, were sleeping, you tossed, you turned, you rolled your eyes as the world burned, the heavens fell, the earth quaked. I thought you must be, but you weren't awake). Elvis Perkins' new album is coming out soon so, if you like this song, support him and buy this or Ash Wednesday!

Since the link above doesn't provide a preview feature with FoxyTunes (which you probably should be using!) as does most of my other songs, I am posting the video to the above song too.

That's all for today,
Your friend,
Alex

I'm here to deliver the news.

2009-01-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

(ha)
It is about four 0'clock on the 26th of Monday and this is Alex, from To Start A Revolution:, reporting the news. I have a couple pieces, some to do with possibly really im'portant stuff, some maybe not so important. I start out with the stuff that can be a bit of a "drag but really affects the life of me and many others.

So, Obama's been in office for, what, six days now? I'm hearing a lot of different views from a lot of different sources and people. Some people like to focus on the not-so-good that he is bound to do and some are focused on the good stuff that he is also bound to do. I'm pretty sure those two views are not really going to change no matter what Obama does. I hope that, whatever he does, people start trying to work together to form and build our country back to a better, previous and pretty already accomplished state. I think people just need to start thinking for themselves so they can help their country. Oh well, nevertheless, I have some news on the new administration and please, oh please, take the news with your thoughts and not those of others. With that, my first bit of news:

I received the same bit of news from two different sources, both with different viewpoints: Obama has taken some action on the cleaning the world and climate up. From Washington (Reuters):

President Barack Obama began reversing the climate policies of the Bush administration on Monday, clearing the way for new rules to force auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient and less polluting cars.

The president told the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider immediately a request by California to impose its own strict limits on vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, blamed for contributing to global warming.

If approved, around 18 states are expected to follow California's strict regulations on car industries and tailpipe emissions. General Motors Corp says its " 'working aggressively' to develop better hybrids and electric cars to reduce emissions and improve mileage, but policymakers must weigh in economic factors when making their decision."

I myself thinks this is wonderful progress. I think, as Obama first said, to clean the Earth, we will need to sacrifice and I think this is exactly what we need. I only hope that the right generation had to pay those sacrifices. To General Motors and other car companies: please take a look at the world around you. Not only did you have the government bail you out of your debt with the tax payers' money for your stupidity but now you're complaining that it's going to be hard because of "economic factors". You are one of the reasons there are economic factors to be dealt with! If you spent as much time making your 22 MPG trucks on developing fuel efficient cars, you might have not had to been bailed out of your fuck up! Son of a bitch... *cough* staying on subject. The second link shows the situation in a little dimmer light. Though the writer commends Obama (in a way) for increasing state rights, he/she does not like regulation in the life of the American people. I partially agree on this, for I do not want regulation either. I think though that these regulations are going to make things better in the long run. If our current and past generations hadn't fallen asleep at the wheel, there would be no need for regulation. Alas, we are being regulated for the faults of the stupid America.

Along with this (again, from the SayAnythingBlog), Obama may keep the offshore drilling ban in place, overthrowing Bush's last minute expansion on the offshore drilling. I find this increasingly good as well, though the article and author don't. I believe, as George Bush himself did, that this country is addicted to oil. I don't know whether to believe we are on our last bits of oil or whether to believe the alternative opinion, we have plenty of oil. Whatever the case may be, we are ravaging the Earth for something we didn't even use a couple hundred years ago (or at least in a abundance). And more, to get off an addiction you don't keep supplying the substance to the people through offshore drilling. Sure, we can't cut off everyone completely off of oil or the world's going to turn upside down but we sure as hell shouldn't be increasing our addiction only to keep rich tycoons happy. So, overall, I think Obama is doing a pretty good job. He hasn't overturned the economy yet like some people predicted (though he might with the massive spending he's planning) and he is working on getting rid of all memory of the Bush administration, including wiretapping, torture, suspending Habeas Corpus, and many regulations (or non-existing regulations) on the climate.

I found a funny piece of news too! It seems, as the economy is laying down to die, the porn industry is slowly seeing its last days. I find this incredibly hilarious for some reason, for people are finding out there exists free things on the web. I wish they would open up their minds to free things outside of porn but I guess we'll have to take things step-by-step.

The other piece of interesting news I found is a bit depressing. A couple nights ago, I just found out, a gunman in Portland, Oregon, randomly opened fire on a under-21 dance club and killed two girls while injuring many more people. Then the shooter preceded to shoot himself in the head after he had his fun. The shooter and the victims involved had no connection and the incident was a seemingly random murder. I can't believe how much violence exists still in this country. You would think that acts of violence would decrease over technology and communication and the such increases but that doesn't seem to prove true. Poor human beings and their doings.

Oh well, that's about all I have today. I hope it was a bit informative and interesting.
Until another time,
Your friend,
Alex

Dear Prudence,

2009-01-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

Open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies.
The wind is low the birds will sing
That you are part of everything.
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?

I finally, after two weeks of waiting, have bought and received The Beatles White Album. Wonderful, that is! I'm pretty sure everybody that would possibly even consider reading this blog has heard (and are probably a very big fan as everybody, including me, is) of The Beatles. In that case, I do not have to explain why you should be listening to the brilliant fab four.

Along with that, my mall was having a major secondhand book sale and I got many good books for a dollar seventy five. I about died when I heard the price they offered for five really good books. In fact, I let them take my change! My five books are entitled thus:
The Selected Writings of Thomas Hardy
The Psalms
Vocabulary for College
An Aquinas Reader
The Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody

Now, if that isn't a good price for those kind of books, I'm a fool!
Thomas Hardy is an amazing writer from what I've heard and I can't believe I found his works!
She opens the door of the Past to me
Its magic lights,
Its heavenly lights,
When forward little is to see! - Thomas Hardy

As you might have or might have not known, I love my religion and my God and I try my hardest to get closer to both. The psalms is not only a good prayer book but it also serves as a wonderful introduction to Hebrew poetry. Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy (which I'm currently reading right now) is heavily based off of Thomas Aquinas's theological writings which is one of the reasons I got that book.
The last book two books just looked interesting to a hopeful future smart person. I like to be smart and these books looked like a good couple of quick reads to gain some progress in that field. On the topic of vocabulary, VerbaLearn is a wonderful program! I used it for twenty words than forgot to report back on it. For people who want to gain better scores for SATs or ACTs, or are just the learner type, this website does wonders! For those of you who missed what VerbaLearn is, the explanation can be found in this previous post (along with a informative video).

I hadn't really wanted to go long on this post so, still on the topic of cultural things, I have a new band and song for you guys. MP3 courtesy of Team Love."The First Weekend of The Smoking Band" - Popup
I promised I would post this newly found band shortly and here's your promise. Okay, I might have got a little bit too excited and told Kyle that this was better than Pinkerton by Weezer but that was really only because I wanted him to listen to it. Sorry for getting both your (and mine) hopes up, Kyle. This small little fact does not diminish Popup and the band's new album, A Time and a Place, though. I'm not sure what does it for me with these guys. It could be the lead singers rough Scottish (I think) accent backed up by the smooth backup singer(s). It could also have to do their fact of catchy and intelligent tunes hold me down and force their music into my ears. Maybe I'm just attracted to whatever sound they have. Whatever the reason, try 'em out; they're free and so is there new album in Team Love's library of many MP3s!

The End.
Your friend,
Alex

This is called a filler post:

2009-01-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

I only have a very few selections to choose from today so...this might not be as IN YOUR FACE with facts and news and such as it hopefully is. Actually, in all reality, there is a lot of stuff to report on but I'm not sure I have to the "umph" to do it all, you understand?

Firstly, (I read about it at this link) Obama has overturned an abortion fund ban. There are many unhappy people and, to the opposite effect, happy people.

Unhappy People
Babies
Catholics
Your "parts", ladies, (I'm trying to keep this clean!) or is that not true? I'm not entirely sure.

Happy People
Over-hormonal teenagers
Rapists
The "Omg-I'm-way-too-lazy-and-high-all-the-time-to-take-care-of-this-child" girl. Yes, probably a girl.

So, overall, my thoughts on the overturned ban: I'm completely torn between thoughts. I'm really, really dreading Sunday when the priest will yell at us saying how "bad this is" (and, to be fair, in a way it could be considered bad). I do not like the idea that our country is turning into a country where wasting is an option. If you don't want the damn baby, adopt it or stop fucking every night! On the other hand, people will do whatever they please, law or not. I wish they would do that about other things like war, the earth, and so forth, but, no, they choose to stick a knife up their body and cut a baby out of their stomach. At any rate, at least it is being made safe for the mother instead of having to be forced to "back-alley" procedures. Next step Mr. Obama, rework adoption laws! Remix this culture of death into one of life.

I also found an interesting article of the type that I love reading. The article introduces, for those who are stuck using costly Microsoft programs (hahaha, poor guys), Linux alternatives to the ones most often used. I might go back to some of these programs but I really want to touch (and I mean touch; a glance by if you will) on one or three of them right now.
Blender 3D
This piece of software actually got me into graphic arts and I really want to try to use it again. For those of you who have an interest in making 3D objects, this free program is for you. It is very high end and some movies are being made with it. Elephant's Dream is an example of one of those and from what I've heard, (I'm actually downloading it right now so I can give you a nice review of it at a later time) it is excellent! Give it a try! What do you have to lose? It's free.

Gimp
This is, to put it very simply, a free version of Adobe Photoshop. It actually becomes very similar to the learned and experienced user. If you are new to the graphic arts, give it a try. It will be well worth it. (Would you like to give a review, Amanda? Ha!)

Open Office
The free version of Microsoft Office Suite. There is nothing that should be stopping you from getting this. Frankly, getting Open Office might be the best thing that has happened to you today. It is seriously that good. And you don't have to pay a fucking load of money to a corporate business! It's free, get it now.

I haven't listed any free music for a while. I actually downloaded a new album from the previously mentioned Team Love record label. While that new album is worth listening to over and over again, I have a different song and band. MP3 courtesy of Insound.

"Fortress" - Pinback
This song got me to buy Pinback's latest CD, Autumn of the Seraphs, in which I would willingly listen to all day if I could (though I don't). The band has such an interesting sound that I would truly not know where to start in the description. I guess (and, I'm completely contradicting what I said in the last sentence) it could be called indie but, at the same time, has a very smart, intelligent and poppy if you will, to it. At any rate, I would not miss out on this free track or many of the other free tracks on Insound.com. Fortress was released on the album Summer in Abaddon on Touch and Go records. Check 'em out.

Alright, that's all for today I think. The album that I just downloaded from Team Love is amazing. In fact, I think a lot of people (Kyle) might enjoy it if I read their new blog right. The band is named Popup if anyone is interested. I'm sure the band will get a spot on here very soon though. So, you could wait 'til then as well. Crap, I did more than I thought I would.

Your friend,
Alex

To Start A Revolution:

One Dimensional Man in the Three Dimensional World

Why abstractions, norms, and absolutes are an assault on humanity and existence itself.

"A woman can never be too rich or too thin."

"I love you," whispers the young girl.

"Do you love me more than anyone else, more than anything?" demands the boy.

"I love you . . . differently, because of what you are. Not more, not less—there's no comparison with love, for love cherishes what is. Love is not judgment, it is measureless, matchless . . ." she replies—but he has already turned away.

It is only now that I can recognize your beauty and deny no part of my own.

I would myself, like a shot.

First you must learn to smile as you kill

Their System Doesn't Work For You

"Police State in the USA"

The laws that apply to us should also apply to them

They’ll need an ‘illegal spotting’ device

Don't Lose Touch

We do not exist

Baby, I'm an anarchist.

I want to smash them all

Rediscovered essay

Common Sense

I stand not by my country

Talk of heaven! ye disgrace the earth.

I am Lazarus, come from the dead

American Traditions

MUSIC!

My song of Life, My song of Love

Excerpt from Solitude

I believe..

Anarchy!

There are few..

Merry Christmas!

The Pledge of the Underground

Aye, piracy!

The Warren!

Also,

Fair and Balanced!

Sanctity of Marriage

It ought to be mentioned..

I know how to obey, I was trained to obey.

Can you spare a dime, brother?

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

To Inherit the Wind

Vaccine My Ass!

Much Madness

No rant, just a video:

And now for a little rant:

Everybody does a little cock sucking!

To Lilly Allen:

Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

Yeah Mayne...

Popular Culture's

It's the breast thing you could ever do.

First day of school!

The greatest health care system in the world!

I keep drinkin' malted milk , try'n to drive my blues away

My EAR!!

One Simple Thing

Improvised Title, Part Two

Improvised Title, Part One

Beautiful, huh?

Oho!

Hello, I am Zeno.

Homework in July is not as fun as Christmas is July.

And, I'mma post it here too.

Dum..dum dum...

I've just finished the sixth Harry Potter book

Garlic bread. Texas Toast.

What to me is your Fourth of July?

I'm like a TV show, and thus: Season 2 and Its Premiere:

A cover!

Live a little,

School's

First post in a long time!

I'm glad, I'm sad.

Am I redundant? Am I repetitive?

Contemplations

"There must be some way out of here,"

Frankly,

Fat Tuesday!

Give me a rallying cry, Give me one good reason to die.

Why abstractions, norms, and absolutes
are an assault on humanity and existence itself.

It is only now that I can recognize your beauty
and deny no part of my own.